A new feud is starting: Ted Nugent vs. Tom Morello

The conservative musician and political activist Ted Nugent has generated controversy through his recent remarks on a newly posted video on his official YouTube channel, as per theprp. The video, titled ‘Talk Music With Uncle Ted,’ was uploaded on January 1st as part of his ‘The Spirit Campfire’ series.

In the video, Nugent discusses several musicians he admires, but also criticizes multiple prominent artists, including four inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, The White Stripes, Green Day, and Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello. He also included Eminem, a fellow Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer, in his critique.

Nugent’s apparent lack of familiarity with Morello and his disparaging comments are noteworthy, especially considering Morello’s previous statement in 2017 that he maintained a “good” friendship with Nugent despite their political differences.

Ted Nugent’s a good friend to me. We have very similar views on freedom of speech. His libertarian edge and my anarchist edge overlap considerably. Sometimes, if he says something outrageous that will fire up his racist base, I’ll text him to say, ‘Dude. What are you on about?’ We’re able to talk about it as friends as opposed to people on the opposite sides of the barricade.

In this episode, Nugent primarily attributes his criticisms to the musicians’ political views rather than their musical talent.

The guy in The White Stripes, I can’t think of his name, but he played the halftime show with Eminem for the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving. A big deal. …Don’t they always lose? The Lions are a football team in Detroit, by the way…

Jack White, is that his name? Jack White. No, I think The White Stripes, is that his name? Anyhow, he was great. It wasn’t like a 10 like Sammy Hagaror James Brown. I think Sammy Hagar and James Brown and Steven Tyler, those are tens. Angus Young of AC/DC, that’s a 10. The guy’s a maniac. Billy Gibbons in the blues, rhythm, and blues, soul music category, he’s a 10. 

Now, is that his name, Jack White? Jack White, he’s not a 10. He’s like a four and a five, but he really delivered real rock and roll. Real Detroit piss and vinegar. And Eminem, the guy’s a… Both of those guys, Eminem and Jack White: total idiots.

They don’t want their country to have secure borders. They think men should destroy women’s sports. Well, that’s not… that’s exactly what they stand for. When you hate Donald Trump, you you want men in women’s sports to destroy women’s rights. That’s what these guys stand for. They don’t think our border should be secured. They think we should invite jihadists in who announce they want to kill the infidels. They announce they want to kill Americans. And Jack White and Eminem say, ‘Yeah, that bring them in. Bring those guys in.’ Freak idiots.

But their music is soulful. Just like Green Day. Green Day, there’s not a brain amongst them, I don’t think. But man, can they play really, really killer stuff. Like Tom Morello, Is that his name? Tom Morel? Morello, who played with Springsteen and Rage Against The Machine., when actually they are the machine. Come on Tom, you got to know that. You’re not raging against the machine. You are the machine.

They don’t believe that America should have secure borders, which means they don’t believe in America. Which means they want to have a great successful life in America, but they don’t think you should be able to have one. Hey, Tom, come on my show. Explain… make your case. Good luck.

His grievances are largely centered on the political stances of these artists, particularly Morello’s opposition to immigration enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Morello’s vocal criticism of President Donald Trump and his efforts to counter conservative narratives targeting himself and Rage Against The Machine have also been factors in Nugent’s criticisms.

Earlier in the episode, Nugent expressed exclusively positive sentiments regarding at least one contemporary artist.

He specifically praised YUNGBLUD, highlighting his recent collaborations with Aerosmith members Stephen Tyler and Joe Perry.

Nugent offered this assessment of the emerging British alternative rock/rap artist.

Now, I got to tell you this, what’s this YUNGBLUD guy? Limey freak madness. This guy’s the real McCoy. Watch this YUNGBLUD that’s working with Stephen Tyler and Joe Perry. It gives you hope that the really piss and vinegar, the James Brown, the original Chuck Berry, Little Richard is alive and well and this kid called YUNGBLUD. What a great name, YUNGBLUD from England. He’s a screamer. He’s a squaller. I was texting back and forth with Steve and Joe and he said, ‘This guy’s just like us.’ which we’re the last of them.