Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock criticises punk Trump supporters and praises Kneecap

Sex Pistols’ bass player Glen Matlock has praised Kneecap and criticised "weird" members of the punk community who support Donald Trump, during his recent appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today show.

During the broadcast, he made a connection between the rise of the far-right in the '80s and the current trends in politics. The bass player added that he finds it odd to see a growing number of punks supporting right-wing politics.

Matlock also said, it is becoming harder for alternative artists to get mainstream attention.

"I think the problem is that the media and the record companies have had so much practice over the years, shutting things out that are pushing [the boundaries] a little bit," he said.

He brought up Kneecap as one of the few breakthroughs who have maintained their punk mentality while being on mainstream charts.

"I think it’s become quite vacuous what we do get to hear on the radio," he expressed.

"Not all the time, but a few people do come through, even like the Kneecap people, whatever you feel about them, at least they are pushing it".

Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) has expressed his support of Trump in the recent years. In 2025, he called the US President "the Sex Pistols of politics".

In response to what it was like to see Lydon speak out in support of Trump, Matlock shared:

"Way back when, there was something about John that I didn’t get on with because I couldn’t quite put my finger on it".

"John was fantastic back then. He wrote some great lyrics, but did he really mean ‘em? Ah, that’s the thing. I never found him that sincere," he added.

Back in May of last year, John Lydon also commented on Kneecap and their live shows, at which they speak out in support of Palestine. He expressed that the members "need a bloody good kneecapping," referencing the form of physical punishment, which inspired their band name.

Kneecap responded to Glen Matlock's positive comment from the BBC Radio 4 interview on X, and described him as "way fucking sounder than Johnny Rotten anyway".

See the X post below.

"Glen Matlock, 69, said Trump-supporting punks have forgotten the anti-fascist roots of the movement, and Kneecap are the some of the only true punks left."

Well Glen is way fucking sounder than Johnny Rotten anyway 💚🤍🧡 pic.twitter.com/lAq9ehfzgl

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) January 20, 2026