Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty
Pearl Jam has stirred up political controversy over commissioning a poster featuring a burning White House and a bald eagle feasting on President Donald Trump’s corpse.
The artwork, shared on Aug. 14, promoted their show in Missoula, Montana, the funds of which went toward the re-election campaign of Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. Matt Rosendale, Tester’s opposition, tweeted a response to the poster by calling it “disgusting and reprehensible” as well as an “act of violence and blatant display of extremism.”
Official artwork by Jeff Ament and Bobby Brown from last night’s show in Missoula. #TheAwayShows #Rock2Vote pic.twitter.com/CQI4chGEjs
— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) August 14, 2018
This poster from Pearl Jam is disgusting and reprehensible. It depicts a dead President Trump and a burning White House. It’s time for @JonTester to denounce this act of violence and blatant display of extremism! https://t.co/nIKTNPOFxX #MontanaFirst #MAGA #mtsen #mtpol
— Matt Rosendale (@MattForMontana) August 14, 2018
Fans were quick to chime in, delivering mixed reviews of the artwork.
So disappointed with this. It’s almost impossible to go a week without listening to your music but that all ends tonight. This is pathetic and I choose America and MY President over you. Should have stuck to music. Sickening. As many have said, that’s it for me, no longer a fan.
— John Watson (@nu1ncaa) August 15, 2018
Never apologize for telling the truth boys
— Shane (@RamosShane) August 15, 2018
#walkaway very disappointed with this. #MAGA stick to music. #noshame
— Duncan MacLeod (@DuncanMacLeod8) August 15, 2018
Tickets to PJ shows — in stadiums that hold 50,000+ people — sell out in minutes. “Fans” who are leaving, no one will miss you.
Side note: this week alone, PJ has raised $11.5M (and counting) to fight homelessness in Seattle. Now, how can I get my hands on one of these posters?— Angsty Pickles (@angstypickles) August 15, 2018
A burning White House with flames pouring out of the widows?
I don’t care if you say it’s “art” and I know you probably don’t care – but you should be ashamed of releasing something like this.
Not all of your fans agree with your political narratives.
— Brandon King (@BKDaKing2) August 15, 2018
Pearl Jam has previously supported Tester, playing a benefit show for his re-election in 2012. In fact, the band is known to be politically active. Some of the most recent events have included encouraging fans to take action on Net Neutrality, playing a tribute show for Parkland survivors, and wearing a jacket responding to Melania Trump’s “I Really Don’t Care” jacket.
Although Pearl Jam has not responded to the comments left on their post, Ament reminded fans in the same illustration that “we’re at a tipping point and its [sic] time for action.”