Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley sneak in good-natured Trump joke at CMA Awards

Given that 2017 has been a tragic year, country fans were wondering just how the Country Music Association would choose to address the numerous serious incidents that have recently rocked the nation during the telecast of their 51st annual awards show.

Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley did use their opening monologue to soberly acknowledge the victims of the mass shootings and natural disasters this year, but they quickly moved on to their trademark humor.

Paisley wasted no time referencing the CMA’s infamous ban on political questions from journalists, issued last week, which was rescinded quickly after the singer (among others) chafed publicly at the restrictions.

“This is a politics-free zone,” he deadpanned to Underwood, who replied, “Clearly, we can’t say or play anything.”

With that, the pair launched into Underwood’s massive 2006 single “Before He Cheats,” with a few alterations.

It was clear they were singing about someone … that we all just might know…

“Right now, he’s probably in his PJs, watching cable news, reaching for his cell phone/Right now, he’s probably asking Siri: ‘How in the hell do you spell “Pocahontas”?’/… In the middle of the night from the privacy of a gold-plated White House toilet seat/he writes Lil’ Bob Corker, NFL, and covfefe…

“And it’s fun to watch, yeah, that’s for sure/’til little Rocket Man starts a nuclear war … and then maybe next time, he’ll think before he tweets.”

The crowd responded with roars of laughter and applause, and #beforehetweets instantly became a hashtag on social media. While some viewers didn’t appreciate the dig at the president, most seemed to take it all as good fun.

President Trump did not reply to the humorous dig at press time.

The 2017 CMA Awards were aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Watch the full clip right here: