GWAR’s political theater at Riot Fest ignites conservative backlash

As reported from theprp, MAGA took notice of GWAR‘s bizarre onstage antics over the weekend and became enraged. During their live performance at “Riot Fest” in Chicago, Illinois, the group’s portrayals of the sacrifices made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump have started to garner media attention. The band was targeted by a dubious X account called @hottakekaren, which was created in June 2012. This sparked the outcry. Oddly, there was currently no other post history on that account that is accessible to the public. The aforementioned user shared a number of postings criticizing the band for their ridiculous theatrical executions, such as this video of Elon Musk being beheaded and this clip of Donald Trump being disemboweled.

Saw a friend’s video from Riot Fest—GWAR mock-beheaded Elon Musk on stage. That’s not edgy, it’s grotesque and reckless and normalizes violence against a real person. This is not okay. Riot Fest and GWAR crossed a major line. #RiotFest #GWAR #ElonMusk @RiotFest @gwar @elonmusk @X pic.twitter.com/ngr0GRVbP9— karen (@hottakekaren) September 20, 2025

This piece from the NY Post and Libs Of TikTok are just two examples of the conservative circles that have been affected by the ensuing anger, which was reportedly fabricated in part by the band’s staff.

Performers at Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois, simulated the bloody disemboweling of President Trump on stage while people cheered.

This is incitement. They know exactly what they’re doing.

Democrats can’t help themselves. They love promoting violence. pic.twitter.com/XHrxM7RucQ— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 22, 2025

Normalizing violence? Humans don’t need GWAR for that. There is nothing normal about the Looney Toon violence acted out on a GWARstage. GWAR is absurdist spectacle. GWAR is to violence what the New York Post is to journalism. Ridiculous. GWAR

lol the dumbest people on the internet are mad again. pic.twitter.com/mdcbClCwF7

— Riot Fest (@RiotFest) September 22, 2025

Naturally, GWAR has been showcasing the sacrifices of world leaders, politicians, celebrities, and religious figures from all political affiliations and schools of thought onstage for decades. Onstage, U.S. presidents from both major parties have tragically died on a nightly basis. The recent murder of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk has fundamentally altered the conversation regarding the portrayal of violence, particularly among those with established political affiliations, even though the humorous thrash metal group has been able to function without much public outrage.