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Rage Against The Machine Banned from SNL After Flag Incident

4/14/2026

39 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Rage Against The Machine performed on Saturday Night Live on April 13, 1996, and were banned after one song.
The band was promoting Evil Empire when they faced controversy for hanging upside-down American flags on their amplifiers.
Bassist Tim Commerford threw a wadded flag into host Steve Forbes's dressing room after a second song was cut.
The action triggered a Secret Service presence and led to removal from the show.

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Story summary

Rage Against The Machine performed on Saturday Night Live on April 13, 1996, and were banned after one song.
The band was promoting Evil Empire when they faced controversy for hanging upside-down American flags on their amplifiers.
Bassist Tim Commerford threw a wadded flag into host Steve Forbes's dressing room after a second song was cut.
The action triggered a Secret Service presence and led to removal from the show.