Share
Eagles Of Death Metal singer Jesse Hughes has pushed back against claims that he supports Donald Trump, explaining that people made that assumption because of remarks he made in the past that sparked debate.
During a recent interview on The Bad Decisions Podcast, Hughes reflected on controversial statements he made after the 2015 Paris terror attacks. During that tragedy, gunmen linked to Islamic State entered the Bataclan during his band’s performance, opening fire on concertgoers and later detonating explosives as police approached. Ninety people lost their lives in the attack.
When podcast host Scott Michael Nathan asked what people misunderstand about that experience, Hughes said many failed to recognise the emotional toll it had on him. “Well, they weren’t there, that’s one thing,” he explained (per Blabbermouth). “But also, you have to consider that I was traumatised. I was deeply traumatised, and I was very, very protective of everyone that had been there.
“So I wouldn’t say that I don’t believe the things that I said at the time, but I would definitely say that today I probably wouldn’t say them because it’s just not necessary.”
He went on to say that his outlook as a performer is rooted in unity rather than politics. As he described it: “I don’t care who you vote for – check your politics at the door, and everyone gets to come here and shake their dick and have a good time.” He added that the events he experienced temporarily took that mindset away from him.
“Let me just put it this way: the amount of people that crawled out of the woodwork to manipulate me and use my tragedy to their benefit was endless, and it disgusted me on both sides of the aisle,” Hughes added.
Hughes has also faced criticism in the past over his views on gun laws. He previously suggested that stricter regulations did not stop the 2015 Bataclan attack and argued that France’s gun restrictions left victims unable to defend themselves. He also made claims that some venue security personnel may have had connections to extremist groups, comments that generated strong backlash.
In a later interview with Taki Magazine, Hughes suggested that people were hesitant to speak openly about terrorism because they feared being labelled racist. After those remarks, Bataclan attendee Ismael El Iraki published an open letter criticising Hughes’ statements.
“Man, I never thought that you would become one of those spreaders of fear,” he said at the time. “Fox News, Trump, all those guys. You always felt like a maverick, a rebel: we now know that you are not.”
Some observers also compared Hughes’ earlier claims about Muslim security guards, which he later apologised for, to comments Donald Trump made following the September 11 attacks. Trump had claimed he witnessed “thousands and thousands” of people in New Jersey, “where you have large Arab populations”, celebrating the attacks.
“Sometimes people will say I’m a Trump supporter. That is just not true,” Hughes clarified on the podcast. “I’ve never, ever, ever one time in the press ever endorsed or said that I support the man.”
“I’ve just said things that have been controversial that you could attribute maybe to one side or another. But I have a different perspective. And I still believe the things I believe, but I was able to return to a place where [you could] check your politics at the door.”
Hughes also quoted Elvis while discussing his role as a performer, saying: “Elvis said it best. I’m an entertainer, and it’s nobody’s business what I vote for, ’cause I ain’t here to tell you who to vote for.”
Later in the discussion, after Nathan mentioned his own support for gun rights and acceptance of same sex marriage, Hughes responded by pointing to his band’s history of inclusivity. He said: “Dude, our first album is literally the transgender flag. I don’t think anyone realises that. I grew up in Palm Springs. Nobody is more supportive of the gay community than I am, dude.
“But when everyone’s all worked up and everyone’s angry and everyone’s too busy hating, it’s difficult to see the nuances.”
In 2017, Hughes also spoke with Billboard about how the Bataclan attack continues to stay with him. He said he does not expect the memories to ever completely fade, but that surviving the experience gave him a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to appreciate life more fully.
