Ted Nugent has publicly responded to Pearl Jam's recent cover of his classic track "Stranglehold," performed during a concert in Baltimore on September 12, 2024. During the performance at CFG Bank Arena, lead vocalist Eddie Vedder ad-libbed lyrics reflecting his anti-gun stance with lines like, "I don't own a gun, I don't ever want to own a gun," following the iconic guitar riff played by Mike McCready.
After the show, Nugent took to social media to express his dissatisfaction with Vedder's remarks, which he described as symptomatic of "insane liberal policies." In his statement on X/Twitter, Nugent wrote, "Hey Eddie join me on my RAV [Real America's Voice] spirit campfire to discuss how your insane liberal policies have created an explosion in engineered violent recidivism while you fight to disarm helpless innocent citizens." Nugent's comments align with his long history as a prominent gun rights advocate, having previously asserted that the U.S. does not have a gun problem, but rather an issue with its judicial system that releases violent offenders.
In contrast, Pearl Jam has consistently expressed their opposition to gun violence. Following the 2018 Parkland school shooting, they released the single "Can't Deny Me," addressing advocacy efforts for gun control. The band frequently weaves themes of social justice into their music and live performances, making their positions clear.
The back-and-forth between Nugent and Pearl Jam underscores the highly polarized views surrounding gun control in the United States. Furthermore, Nugent's recent comments coincide with the release of his new song "Who Shot Trump," featuring his son, Rocco, which also touches on political issues and expresses support for Donald Trump. As the ongoing dialogue continues, questions remain about how both parties will react moving forward.