Keith Urban is in the middle of a bizarre controversy after performing an LGBTQ+ anthem at Mar-a-Lago with the prez in the room … but the country star wasn’t trying to send a message, TMZ has learned.

Here’s the deal … KU played Chappell Roan‘s “Pink Pony Club” among other tunes during a private gig for Pratt Industries … an annual event at Trump‘s second home, for staff and partners of the biz headed by billionaire Anthony Pratt. A mixture of criticism and cheer was instantly dished out online as soon as a clip was posted, with some asking … WTF?

A source close to Keith tells TMZ … Keith playing “Pink Pony Club” at the event — with Trump unexpectedly in attendance — was not a political statement, despite the rampant online speculation.

KU has been performing the Chappell Roan hit — inspired in part by West Hollywood’s iconic gay bar The Abbey — for quite a while, so it’s not outta left field … it’s just getting overanalyzed this time. Keith previously said on the Canadian web series “Intimate and Interactive” he thought it was a beautiful, emotional song.

We’re told … Keith had not met Trump prior, and he didn’t connect with him at the Mar-a-Lago event.