Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock says he finds it “weird” that a number of punk rockers are showing support for Donald Trump, while also commending the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap for their political activism.
Matlock’s views stand in sharp contrast to those of his former Sex Pistols bandmate John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), who has both praised Trump and trashed Kneecap (whose pro-Palestine, anti-Israel messaging at Coachella and Glastonbury made headlines last year).
Get Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter Tickets
In a new interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program (as transcribed by Far Out), Matlock spoke about Sex Pistols’ anti-authoritarian stance in the ’70s, saying, “There was a lot going on, as is today… with the rise of the far-right, and I think, we were trying to navigate our way through that, somehow, and have a laugh, stir things up a little bit.”
Related Video
He continued, “There’s a lot of stuff these days I don’t understand about punk myself. It became a very broad church, a long way from the Sex Pistols to the Talking Heads and from The Slits to the Dolly Mixture or something like that, musically. But also a lot of punks got the wrong end of the stick, and maybe some progenitors of it did as well.”
The bassist added, “It is kind of weird these days. I’m constantly surprised by how many punks I see on my Facebook thing that are pro-Trump. It’s a bit weird.”
Asked if there was a lack of rebellious guitar music today, Matlock responded, “I think the problem is that the media and the record companies have had so much practice over the years at shutting things out that are kind of pushing it a little bit, and I think it’s become quite vacuous what we do get to hear on the radio.”
He then pointed out Kneecap as an exception, noting, “A few people do come through, even like the Kneecap people, whatever you feel about them, at least they are pushing it.”
While not a ringing endorsement of Kneecap, the hip-hop group appreciated Matlock’s comments, sharing the article on Twitter and writing, “Well Glen is way fucking sounder than Johnny Rotten anyway.”
Lydon, on the other hand, insisted that Kneecap “need a good kneecapping” in an interview with Good Morning Britain last year.
Matlock and fellow original Sex Pistols members Steve Jones and Paul Cook have been touring as Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter in recent years. The outfit has a number of UK and European dates on tap for 2026 thus far, with tickets available here.
“Glen Matlock, 69, said Trump-supporting punks have forgotten the anti-fascist roots of the movement, and Kneecap are the some of the only true punks left.”
Well Glen is way fucking sounder than Johnny Rotten anyway 💚🤍🧡 pic.twitter.com/lAq9ehfzgl
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) January 20, 2026
