US Election 2020: What is the guitar world saying about Joe Biden’s projected victory?
Reactions from musicians and guitarists across the world.
Photos: Drew Angerer / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Guitar heroes and artists around the globe are now reacting to Joe Biden’s projected victory over Donald Trump to become the 46th leader of the United States Of America.
Most are pleased by the decision; for some, however, tensions remain high. Donald Trump is yet to concede, and he has brought up allegations of tampered mail-in ballots, although there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
This is a rolling list and will be continuously updated in the coming days.
Biden 2021
A projected victory in Pennsylvania gave Biden the 270 electoral college votes he needed to win the presidency. The President-elect is expected to be sworn into office on 20 January 2021.
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, having previously made his dislike of Donald Trump public, posted a celebratory video following the news of Trump’s defeat.
excuse me while I …. pic.twitter.com/kZQvsxix7k
— Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) November 7, 2020
Frontman of The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, said that he is “looking forward to coming back to an America free of harsh words and name-calling.” He said “it’s a challenge but it can be done!”
Jagger previously shared a snippet of a song criticising Trump’s constant use of social media.
I’m so looking forward to coming back to an America free of harsh words and name calling and be amongst people who I know have common ground and harmony. It’s a challenge but it can be done!
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) November 7, 2020
Legendary singer-songwriter Joan Baez posted a video of herself dancing in celebration of the results, writing: “This morning’s mood… the sweetness of victory – and groceries.”
This morning's mood… the sweetness of victory – and groceries. pic.twitter.com/GIJjargGmR
— Joan Baez (@joancbaez) November 7, 2020
Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale celebrated the news on Instagram, saying: “In the immortal words of Twisted Sister ‘We’re not gonna take it anymore.’”
In the run-up to the election, Ted Nugent was outspoken about his support for Trump. Upon the breaking of the news, he took to Facebook to live-stream his reaction, saying: “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris represent the devil party. They’ve said they hate America.”
Posted by Ted Nugent on Saturday, November 7, 2020
The ever-outspoken David Crosby was asked what he’s looking forward to about a Biden presidency – he responded simply: “Not hating the president”.
Not hating the president https://t.co/4Gd4epiiGI
— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) November 9, 2020
Lamb Of God guitarist Mark Morton took to Twitter to say that he was pleased that Biden had won, but also hoped for the “compromise” of a Republican Senate majority.
Y’all can be mad at me all you want but I’m glad that Biden won AND I’m glad that the Republicans will keep the Senate.
— Mark Morton (@MarkDuaneMorton) November 7, 2020
Rage Against The Machine frontman Tom Morello celebrated the news by sharing a photo which read: “Live your life in such a way that the entire planet doesn’t dance in the streets when you lose your job.”
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) November 9, 2020
Before the result
To reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a large proportion of this year’s votes were cast early via mail-in ballots. Still, long lines of citizens formed at polling stations across the country.
Jane’s Addiction and Porno For Pyros frontman Perry Farrell shared his voting experience at the Los Angeles SoFI Stadium, reporting the climate to be “calm, cool, and collective”.
“The stadium itself is a marvel, and the staff were helpful and kind,” he tweeted. “LA we have an incredible venue we can call home. I am anxiously crossing fingers, toes, and tongue.”
SoFI Stadium voting experience was calm, cool, and collective. The stadium itself is a marvel, and the staff were helpful and kind. LA we have an incredible venue we can call home. I am anxiously crossing fingers, toes, and tongue.. https://t.co/CiaIhEQmnE
— Perry Farrell (@perryfarrell) November 4, 2020
David Crosby weighed in with his predictions, sharing that even though he believes Biden will capture the White House, he’s “sure [T]rump will contest it”.
I think Biden will win
I am sure rump will contest it
If he can get it into the courts
And winds up in the Supreme Court ?
He will get another four years even though he lost
It will tear the country apart
That’s my nightmare https://t.co/PE73WR3r1j— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) November 3, 2020
Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke has voiced out against Trump, too, alluding to the president as a “Facebook tin pot dictator, utterly bereft of moral authority”.
i don’t want my kids inheriting a world run by flag waving facebook tin pot dictators, utterly bereft of moral authority,
while they watch 200 mile winds pick up and blow their lives away like the Wizard of Oz, having internalized this force fed sense of powerlessness. just sayin— Thom Yorke (@thomyorke) November 4, 2020
Axl Rose also reached out to his Twitter followers, encouraging them to vote “in the face of fear and intimidation” for “a better world”.
VOTE
Whatever It Takes
VOTE
Take A Side
Make A Stand
VOTE
With Courage
In The Face Of Fear
And Intimidation
VOTE
Through All The Noise
Lies
And Distractions
VOTE
For The Country
For A Better World
For DEMOCRACY— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 3, 2020
Meanwhile, Jason Isbell expressed his disappointment at Doug Jones’ loss of the Senate seat in Alabama. He tweeted: “The people in Alabama and the rest of US are gonna have to deal with the consequences of this one.”
Thanks, but the people in Alabama and the rest of US are gonna have to deal with the consequences of this one https://t.co/njgBTgdafD
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) November 4, 2020
Tom Morello condemned voter suppression by sharing a tweet which wrote that “voter suppression is more American than voting”.
Repost #3ChordPolitics pic.twitter.com/WfxqyOWSN7
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) November 3, 2020
More reactions, as they come in, can be seen below:
Vote Them Out https://t.co/o4g4LE7T1N
— Black Francis (@MrBlackFrancis) November 3, 2020
THIS VOTE KILLS FASCISTS
the sign is red
we voted blue
let’s bring love
and democracy
back to the USA#BidenHarris2020
photo by @Crackerfarm
for @Under_Radar_Mag
https://t.co/nUoGHtG3dK pic.twitter.com/zclR2cdIKm— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) November 3, 2020
Keep the faith. No matter the outcome. We will continue to fight for love, equality, justice…and kindness to our fellow humans. The way we always have… no president defines Us…we define Us. We have the choice every single day to look in the mirror and be our best selves. Xo
— Lzzy Hale (@LZZYHALE) November 4, 2020
V-O-T-E
🤟🏾🎸✌🏾 pic.twitter.com/Gi3G3e9bVR— Christone “Kingfish” Ingram (@_kingfishbluez) November 3, 2020
I voted pic.twitter.com/YU57B7AHpI
— Melanie Faye 🏳️🌈 (@_MelanieFaye_) November 3, 2020
The Division has always existed and now it’s just more plain to see. America is two different mindsets. Until it is addressed that way this problem will always be here. America is an experiment. https://t.co/PWDvYCWKCu
— Tracii Guns 🎃👻🎃 ⨁ 🇺🇸🇩🇰 (@TraciiGuns) November 4, 2020
get it together texas !!!!!!!
— claire cottrill (@clairo) November 4, 2020
My girlfriend & I voted at our local polling place at around 9:30 am. There was no wait.
For whatever reason, it was important to me that I vote in person, on Election Day.
Whatever the outcome of the election, I truly hope we can begin to heal & unite as a country.— Mark Morton (@MarkDuaneMorton) November 3, 2020
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