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GWAR's Mock Executions of Trump, Musk Spark Outrage

9/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

GWAR faced backlash at Riot Fest for staging mock executions of Trump and Musk.
Critics call the act grotesque and reckless, saying it normalizes violence against real people.
Singer Michael “Blöthar the Berserker” Bishop says the performances are absurdist art, not endorsements of violence.
The controversy drew coverage from Breitbart and the New York Post, while Riot Fest defended GWAR.

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Story summary

GWAR faced backlash at Riot Fest for staging mock executions of Trump and Musk.
Critics call the act grotesque and reckless, saying it normalizes violence against real people.
Singer Michael “Blöthar the Berserker” Bishop says the performances are absurdist art, not endorsements of violence.
The controversy drew coverage from Breitbart and the New York Post, while Riot Fest defended GWAR.