Rage Against the Machine became a top ten trending topic in the United States on Twitter today (May 13) for quite literally being themselves.
The band shared on Twitter, “The violence and atrocities we are witnessing in Sheikh Jarrah, the Al Aqsa compound and Gaza are a continuation of decades of Israel’s brutal apartheid and violent occupation of Palestine. We stand with the Palestinian people as they resist this colonial terror in all its forms.” They followed that tweet up with, “Awaiting the ‘stay out of politics’ and ‘stick to music.’”
Awaiting the “stay out of politics” and “stick to music”
— Rage Against The Machine (@RATM) May 13, 2021
Fortunately, they didn’t have to wait too long. Notably, journalist Eve Barlow tweeted, “Dear: Halsey. SZA. Susan Sarandon. DJ Khaled. Cara Delevingne. Kelly Rowland. Dua Lipa. Rage Against The Machine. The Weeknd. Mia Farrow. Mark Rufallo. Trevor Noah. Diplo. Viola Davis. Zayne Malik. etc etc etc. We keep the receipts.” (Barlow has since set her Twitter account to private.)
Barlow’s tweet and other reactions have helped unleash a flurry of responses pointing out how it shouldn’t be surprising RATM had a stance on the latest conflict between Isreal and Palestine, which is similar to when Twitter repeatedly dunked on someone in June 2020 who was upset about Tom Morello being vocal about various political topics.
Rage Against the Machine’s Twitter account even retweeted someone who wrote, “Dying because Rage Against the Machine posted a message in support of Palestine and people are telling them to stay out of politics and calling them woke. WHAT DID YOU THINK THE MACHINE WAS a f—ing washer dryer??”
Here is just a selection of the best tweets pointing out how ridiculous it is to be mad about Rage Against the Machine raging against the machine.
Rage Against the Machine wrote in support of Palestine?!?
Geez, what’s next? Are the Red Hot Chili Peppers going to come out and say they’re from California?
— Jon (@NojTheCynic) May 13, 2021
Racist white dudes suddenly realizing what Rage Against the Machine stands for after decades of listening is the funniest thing since they discovered that Star Wars is anti-Nazi after watching it for 40 years
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) May 13, 2021
Discovering that the band I liked called ‘Rage Against The Machine’ is getting political.
Day ruined.
— Has Jeff Bezos Decided To End World Hunger? (@HasBezosDecided) May 13, 2021
Out of touch people when they find out Bulls on Parade by Rage Against The Machine was about the US Army and not about bulls at a parade pic.twitter.com/4olMg9AWWa
— damo (@MFDAMO) May 13, 2021
So you thought Rage Against the Machine should stay out of politics. pic.twitter.com/s7e95IntRh
— here’s the thing (@ShawnIsBald) May 13, 2021
It’s hilarious watching some people just now realize that Rage Against The Machine is a political band
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) May 13, 2021
You annual reminder that Rage Against the Machine are a political band. The clue is in the name so I probably wouldn’t be shocked if they make political statements. pic.twitter.com/klN03y8cBa
— Kelly Welles (@kelly_welles) May 13, 2021
“I can’t believe rage against the machine is in support of the Palestinian people.”
Also rage in 1996 and again in 1999: pic.twitter.com/n3t4Ba5TPc
— hate5six (@hate5six) May 13, 2021
“rage against the machine showing support for Palestine is too political”
Rage against the machine for the past 30 years: pic.twitter.com/1PRGRdhA7z
— Bri what day is it again? (@Artizonka) May 13, 2021
If you feel betrayed because Rage Against The Machine made a pro-Palestinian statement… Question: What Machine did you think they were Raging Against? Fax Machine? Microwave? Pencil Sharpener?
— Anoriand the GameDad (@AnoriandGD) May 13, 2021
Does no one actually listen to Rage Against The Machine lyrics?
— Backxwash (@backxwash) May 13, 2021