Doobie Brother Pat Simmons worried for artistic freedom of expression under Trump administration

Pat Simmons, guitarist of The Doobie Brothers, has shared his concerns over artists freedom of expression under Donald Trump's administration in a recent interview with Hot Press.

The American musician said he felt "embarrassed" for his country due to its current political leadership.

His sentiment is echoed by Canadian singer Neil Young, who feared being denied entry into the United States in April after publicly criticising Trump.

The U.S. president only recently lashed out at Bruce Springsteen in a post on Truth Social after the rocker critiqued Trump's policies on tour. "Bruce Springsteen ... ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country," Trump's post read.

When asked if Simmons was worried about artists being able to freely speak their minds, he said, "Absolutely. It's nothing that you would ever have contemplated. You know, we've all lived our lives in a country that held up democracy."

Simmons is afraid that American democracy, once "a beacon of hope", has come crashing down after Trump's re-election in 2024. Frightened for the future, the musician says he feels most regret for future generations.

"I've lived a long, full life. I feel most regret for future generations because they're the ones that are are gonna suffer for this folly. It's really a terrible thing it really is. It's criminal."

The guitarist also shared his opinion on the harsh political divide in American politics and society.

"We have a long history in America - of division among peoples here that we've all known about our whole lives. It started in the 19th century with the American Civil War. As time wore on, populations moved about and it's not north and south anymore. It's right wing, left wing."

According to Simmons, not all Republicans are "bad people, but the policies that stem from that can be bad."

"It's gonna be a lot of suffering. So the whole country, the whole world, is suffering," he continued.

Pat Simmons is the only Doobie Brothers member who has consistently stayed in the band since their beginnings in 1970. Founded in San José, the group have sold a staggering 48 million records and received four Grammy Awards.

You can read about the band's new album Walk This Road and Pat Simmons' love for 'Molly Malone' in the new June issue of Hot Press Magazine, available to order below.