Green Day presented a performance laden with political messages during their concert on Jan. 19 at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, marking their first appearance in South Africa.
During their famous 2004 song “American Idiot,” lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong replaced the line “I’m not a part of the redneck agenda” with “I’m not a part of the Elon agenda,” directly targeting billionaire Elon Musk, who hails from Pretoria.
The event in South Africa, which is part of the Calabash 2025 festival, featured Green Day as the headliner alongside The Offspring and local punk legends Fokofpolisiekar.
The criticism of Musk arises during the controversy over the billionaire’s actions at Trump’s second inauguration.
While addressing the audience at the event, Musk performed a hand gesture that led to numerous online comparisons to a Nazi salute. Critics condemned the gesture, whereas Musk shrugged off the backlash, labeling it a “worn-out” assault. The Anti-Defamation League characterized the act as an “uncomfortable gesture in a moment of excitement” rather than as a malicious act, but the occurrence contributed to the divisive figure’s controversial reputation.
This isn’t the first occasion Green Day has taken aim at Musk; following their 2023 New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show, where they changed the lyrics of “American Idiot” to declare “I’m not part of the MAGA agenda,” Musk attacked the band on X (previously Twitter), stating, “Green Day shifts from fighting the machine to blandly advocating for it.”
In reply, bassist Mike Dirnt joked according to The Independent, “Elon Musk truly is the machine.” I cannot extract anything more from that. He’s not hesitant to express foolish things online. Anything. The song is two decades old, and we’re Green Day. “What were your expectations?”
Read more: SNL Star Chloe Fineman Claims Elon Musk’s Comments Brought Her to Tears
Musk has not yet responded to their recent criticism.
Green Day has an extensive history of confronting political leaders through their music. The group notably yelled “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” while performing at the 2016 American Music Awards. In 2023, they launched the “Ultimate Nimrod” t-shirt, showcasing Trump’s mugshot designed like their Nimrod album cover, with profits aiding Maui wildfire relief efforts.
“Glad to be rid of it.” “The exclusive Nimrod shirt can be purchased for just 72 hours,” Green Day announced at that moment. “Proceeds from the limited edition shirt will be donated to…[Greater Good Music], a charity that provides food for those impacted by the Maui wildfires.”
Armstrong has also been outspoken in encouraging fans to support progressive candidates, recently backing Kamala Harris in the 2024 U.S. presidential race.
As Green Day upholds their legacy of combining music and activism, they have also preserved their position as one of the most impactful punk bands on the Billboard charts.
Their Grammy-winning album American Idiot launched at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2004 and has exceeded seven million copies sold in the U.S. alone. “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” a lasting hit for the band, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy for record of the year, whereas “Wake Me Up When September Ends” hit No. 6. Their subsequent album, 21st Century Breakdown, likewise premiered at No. 1 in 2009, furthering their legacy of chart supremacy.
