In a recent interview on “The Tucker Carlson Show,” Staind singer Aaron Lewis spoke about his personal friendship with Marilyn Manson (whose real name is Brian Warner) and the musician’s chosen public persona.
“I have a lot of acquaintances in the industry. Like, there’s people that I have huge love and respect for. Like, me and you [Tucker Carlson] text all the time, me and Marilyn Manson text all the time,” Lewis said.
“Brian is one of the most intelligent, profound conversations I have ever had with somebody. I use the word ‘evil’ lightly, but he’s like an evil genius,” he continued. “He is fully aware of every single button he is purposely pushing. He’s a genius. It’s all been calculated. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He knows exactly what buttons he’s pushing, and he’s pushing them on purpose.”
Manson’s public image has taken a hit in recent years, as he faced multiple legal battles following accusations of s*xual assault and domestic violence made by several women.
In January, after a years-long investigation, the Los Angeles District Attorney officially declined to press charges against the controversial musician. In a statement, they explained that the “allegations of domestic violence fall outside of the statute of limitations” and that they “cannot prove charges of s*xual assault beyond a reasonable doubt.”
While Aaron Lewis defended Manson’s intellect and calculated persona, 2025 has already seen the shock rocker step back into the public eye in more visible ways. After years of keeping a relatively low profile due to legal battles, Manson returned to the road earlier this year with a series of festival appearances and co-headlining dates that marked his first proper tour since 2019. The shows, featuring a mix of classic cuts like “The Beautiful People” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” drew strong crowds and signaled that a core fanbase remains loyal despite the controversies.
Manson also made headlines in July when he was spotted at Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral, held just weeks after the Black Sabbath frontman’s final performance. His appearance alongside other rock luminaries underscored the respect he still holds within the heavy music community, particularly given Ozzy’s influence on Manson’s own theatrical approach to stagecraft. Fans noted that Manson kept a low profile at the service but was visibly emotional as tributes were read.
Between his live comeback and his presence at one of rock’s most historic farewells, 2025 has been a reminder that Marilyn Manson, or Brian Warner offstage, can’t be canceled.
