Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello recently took to social media to respond to criticism from uninformed fans questioning his and the band’s political beliefs. Faced with erroneous interpretations of RATM’s lyrics and ideals, Morello reaffirmed, on X, the anti-capitalist and anti-war values that underpin the group’s message.
A persistent misunderstanding around the ideals of Rage Against The Machine
Although Rage Against The Machine has been campaigning for social justice for decades, the group continues to face misunderstandings, which have been exacerbated in recent years. In a recent online exchange, Morello reacted to a fan who saw in the song Killing in the Name an anthem of “revolt against the vaccine”. Morello replied: “This song is about racist cops serving white supremacy and the capitalist elite. Not vaccines.” This response highlights the discrepancy between RATM’s original message and the personal interpretations of some fans.
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Strong responses to criticism on social media
Morello’s exchange sparked a series of reactions, with fans supporting him and others reiterating accusations, such as that the band mandated vaccinations for its 2022 concerts. Morello refuted these allegations, clarifying: “No RATM concert has ever required vaccination.”
Responding to broader criticism of his political positions, Morello reiterated his distrust of the two dominant parties: “My opinion on the ‘war machine’ has never changed. All American presidents in my lifetime would be considered war criminals under the Geneva Conventions.” He explained that he continues to vote, but believes that real change lies in popular mobilization, not political elites.
An uncompromising position
In his responses, Morello clarified his position on political support, clarifying that he has never supported any candidate other than anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan. In response to accusations of supporting establishment politicians, he quipped that “no big business is aligned with the ideals of RATM”.
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