Punk-rock legends The Offspring, now decades into their career, have long mixed fun alternative rock vibes with biting social commentary. While they steadfastly reject the label of a “political band,” members of the group, particularly guitarist Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman — have made pointed statements on politics, current events, media culture, democratic values….and Ricki Lake. Other rockers also recently took a stand against President Donald Trump amid “No Kings” protest.
The Offspring take stand against Trump
During their recent performance at When We Were Young festival, The Offspring changed lyrics to protest against Trump.
The “No Kings” protests recently took place on Saturday, including New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. Thousands packed New York City’s iconic Times Square and streets all around and people held signs with slogans like “Democracy not Monarchy” and “The Constitution is not optional”.
Ahead of the demonstrations, Trump allies accused the protesters of being linked with the far-left Antifa movement, and condemned what they called “the hate America rally”.
It has been noted that several US states mobilized the National Guard. However, organizers stated that the events, which drew nearly seven million people, were peaceful.
Trump has expanded the scope of presidential power, using executive orders to dismantle parts of the federal government and to deploy National Guard troops to US cities despite objections by state governors.
He has also called on the administration’s top law enforcement officials to prosecute his perceived enemies.
The president says his actions are necessary to rebuild a country in crisis and has dismissed accusations that he is a behaving like a dictator or fascist as hysterical. However, critics warn some of the moves by his administration are unconstitutional and a threat to American democracy.
Despite the band’s broader “apolitical” posture, Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman has been outspoken on several contemporary issues. In January 2022, he posted that “anyone who aided & abetted [former President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the election & subvert the will of the American people… is a criminal & a traitor.”
He also condemned conspiratorial media coverage of the event, describing certain outlets as “anti-democratic & anti-American.”
In February 2021, following the death of radio host Rush Limbaugh, Noodles called him “a dishonest bigoted hypocrite who got rich by exploiting people’s fear & by dividing the country.”
He publicly criticised Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for comparing mask policy to Nazi persecution, writing: “This is today’s @GOP and a perfect example of why we need to move on without them. #PartyofTheInsane.”
The band says they’re not a political band, but Noodles’ frequent public criticism of figures and movements has seen them enter the political terrain anyway.
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