Entertainment

Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney returns to X for first time in months to address transitioning rumors: ‘Needed to set the record straight’

Rascal Flatts alum Joe Don Rooney is setting the record straight.

The guitarist took to X (formerly Twitter) for the first time in months on Wednesday to open up about his hiatus from the spotlight after it led to speculation that he is now transgender.

“NO, I’m not transitioning to be a woman,” he wrote in a lengthy statement. “That thought has never entered my mind. Nothing against the trans community whatsoever but I needed to set the record straight.”

Rooney — who was arrested for driving under the influence on Sept. 9, 2021 — further said that he’s been focusing on his sobriety after he “ran square into a tree and about killed” himself at 4 a.m. two years ago.

“My life and career took a major detour,” he explained. “I was drunk and I was so far gone with my life – I was completely out of control.”

Joe Don Rooney addressed rumors about himself on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday. FilmMagic

The musician, 48, continued that he’s struggled with drinking for several years and wasn’t a good husband, father, or bandmate.


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“I probably would’ve never taken responsibility for any of this if it hadn’t been for my car wreck,” he added.

“Fortunately, (and I truly believe this,) God lead (sic) me into that tree safely enough to not kill me – and luckily nobody else was involved and I didn’t injure or kill anyone.”

“NO, I’m not transitioning to be a woman. That thought has never entered my mind,” he wrote. Instagram/@joedonrooney
He further clarified he decided to step out of the spotlight two years ago following his DUI arrest. Instagram/@joedonrooney

After the crash, Rooney went away to a Utah treatment center for four months, which ultimately led to his life being forever changed.

“I’ve been sober now for almost 28 months come this Jan 13,” he continued. “I never believed I could actually live my life without drinking.

“It had become such a huge part of my daily and nightly routine. I had tried to stop on my own in the past but the powerful nature of alcohol always found its way back into my life.”

“My life and career took a major detour,” he continued. “I was drunk and I was so far gone with my life – I was completely out of control.” Instagram/@joedonrooney

Rooney concluded by thanking God for helping him get his life back along with his family and clinical advisors.

“Now, I need to protect my family and protect my sobriety. I have new healthy boundaries for the first time in my life. Only positive, loving, caring & understanding people may enter,” he wrote.

The “Life is a Highway” hitmaker pled guilty in June 2022 to crashing his vehicle outside of Nashville, Tn.

The crash was a wake-up call to Rooney, who is nearly 28 months sober. Instagram/@joedonrooney

His struggle with alcoholism ultimately led his now ex-wife, Tiffany Fallon Rooney, to file for divorce in January 2021.

Their court battle, which was settled in December 2023, was surrounded by allegations of infidelity and alcoholism, per People.

The former couple share daughters Raquel, 13, and Devon, 9, as well as son Jagger, 17.

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