For nearly four decades, GWAR have built their legacy on outrageous, satirical live shows packed with over-the-top gore, alien lore, and B-movie theatrics. Fans expect blood-soaked performances where politicians, celebrities, and even audience members are mock-“sacrificed” in absurd fashion.
That tradition continued at this past weekend’s Riot Fest in Chicago, where effigies of Elon Musk and current U.S. President Donald J. Trump were theatrically decapitated and disemboweled. Longtime fans weren’t fazed—it was just another night of GWAR chaos.
But in today’s hypercharged political climate, the set ignited backlash. With tensions still raw following the recent assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, clips from the show spread quickly online. Right-wing commentators and outlets including Breitbart and the New York Post latched on, while Libs Of TikTok went as far as calling the performance “incitement.”
Frontman Blöthar the Berserker pushed back against the uproar, reminding critics of the theatrical nature behind GWAR’s shows:
“The idea that GWAR is normalizing violence is patently absurd… there’s nothing normal about the violence that goes on at a GWAR show. It’s a cartoon, it’s Looney Tunes.”
He elaborated further:
“It’s a parody of violence. It’s trying to make violence into a spectacle and show humanity’s absolute absurdity. That’s what GWAR is—it’s absurdism. To say it’s normalizing violence is really reaching.”
Looking back at the backlash as it picked up steam, Blöthar didn’t hold back:
“Like I know this is a rage-bait engagement farming Twitter account, but ‘GWAR crossed a major line’ is one of the funniest f–king things I’ve ever heard. The dumbest people on the internet are still mad today. Got to love it. As long as they keep posting that awesome video and mentioning our name for the free publicity, it’s a win for me.”
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28 Comments
GWAR’s Blöthar Fires Back at MAGA Backlash Over Onstage ‘Executions’: “It’s A Cartoon, It’s Looney Tunes”
https://springgreen-caribou-353428.hostingersite.com/gwar-blothar-maga-backlash-riot-fest/
Everyone just needs to scream as loud as physically possible some where, take a deep breathe , and get a fucking grip. Jesus christ.
Honestly I haven’t seen no backlash. This is rock and roll it is supposed to be theatrical almost. And gwar been doing this type of stuff for decades. Honestly if any takes gwar or even insane clown posses music too serious then the looney bin should be open
Charles Crissman
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Kevin Ray well god damn. I dont agree with that guy not one bit. Granted i myself is not a GWAR fan but come on its entertainment.
Kevin Ray i love it! Fuck these crybabies.
Charles Crissman step into their echo chamber on Twitter (yes, I’ll dead name it) they are melting down over anything and everything and this is on the list.
Rob Mowry dead name? Interesting. Maybe I will step into it and defend gwar.
Charles Crissman it’s a bad joke. To dead name is to use someone’s given name instead of chosen, Musk has a history of doing this. So I call it Twitter instead of X.
Rob Mowry sounds pretty dumb. I like Elon regardless
Fuck MAGA anyway. Bunch of sellouts.
This might be the funniest shit I’ve ever seen
Its an honor to be slaughtered by Gwar quit yer bitchin.
You guys pick on everyone, it’s just a part of the show. If they don’t like it, then don’t go to a GWAR show. People need to chill tf out. It’s just entertainment
I’m a trump supporter and I thought it was comical! That’s what gwar is about! Love blothar and the band!
Do people not remember them doing this to multiple other political figures?
Griffin Cates hey, many people suffer from selective memory loss. It’s a serious disability where they can only remember things that fit their worldview. #selectivememoryawareness
Jk jk.
GWAR FOREVER
Why is anyone giving a fuck about M.A.G.A. and their “feelings” anyway? Was it not those clowns a few years back screaming at the top of their lungs “Facts over feelings”? Well here’s a fact for those clowns, it’s a show…not like they really took a real living breathing actual human (that wasn’t part of the show) and did any harm to them. For the crowd that was so vocal about Facts over feelings, they’re sure in their feeling a lot lately.
Jacob Mc Niel they quite literally said “fuck your feelings”.
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MAGA can’t do a thing about it!
I love it! Reminds me of the good ol days.
Anyone else running their mouths about thus or south park does not understand the nature of satirical art nor it’s place in history. Satire is never going away. Get over it.
Theyve done it to everyone. Nothing new
There is no backlash. Nobody is actually upset about this.
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Ummm….. do yall actually KNOW GWAR? They’ve always done this type of stuff