Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock has called out 'weird' punks who support Donald Trump, contrasting them with the anti-fascist roots of the movement. In a BBC Radio 4 interview, he praised Irish hip-hop group Kneecap for embodying punk's rebellious spirit. The band responded positively to his comments.
Glen Matlock, the original bassist for the Sex Pistols, appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today show on January 20, 2026, where he reflected on the punk scene's origins in the 1970s. He described how the band formed out of frustration with the musical landscape at the time, aiming to 'stir things up a little bit' amid the rise of the far-right.
Matlock expressed surprise at the number of punks supporting right-wing figures like Donald Trump, whom he finds 'a bit weird.' He noted seeing pro-Trump posts from punks on Facebook and suggested that 'a lot of punk have got the wrong end of the stick.' This critique includes his former bandmate John Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, who has praised Trump as 'the Sex Pistols of politics' and stated he would vote for him despite personal reservations.
Lydon, now fronting Public Image Ltd, has also voiced support for Brexit advocate Nigel Farage and criticized Kneecap in May 2025 for their pro-Palestine stance, saying the members 'need a bloody good kneecapping'—a reference to the punishment that inspired the band's name.
In contrast, Matlock lauded Kneecap for pushing boundaries in a way reminiscent of punk's rebellious ethos. 'Not all the time, but a few people do come through, even like the Kneecap people, whatever you feel about them, at least they are pushing it,' he said. He lamented how media and record companies often suppress boundary-pushing music, making mainstream exposure for rebellious artists rarer today.
Kneecap responded to Matlock's praise on social media, tweeting: 'Well Glen is way fucking sounder than Johnny Rotten anyway 💚🤍🧡.' The trio, from Belfast, recently accused the UK government of wasting over £1 million on a terror case against member Mo Chara, which was dropped in September 2025 due to procedural issues.
Matlock's comments follow his 2024 solo album 'Consequences Coming,' where he hinted at political repercussions for figures like Trump. He also reflected on Lydon's sincerity, saying he never found his lyrics fully authentic. Meanwhile, the Sex Pistols are set to tour the UK in 2026 to mark their 50th anniversary, with Frank Carter as frontman.