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 in CFG Bank Arena, lead vocalist Eddie Vedder ad-libbed lyrics reflecting his anti-gun stance: "I don't own a gun, I don't ever want to own a gun" after the iconic guitar riff played by Mike McCready. Following the show, Nugent took to social media to express his displeasure with Vedder's remarks, which he described as reflective 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." This comes as no surprise, given Nugent's long-standing position as a vocal gun rights advocate, having previously claimed that the U.S. does not have a gun problem but rather a problem with a lenient judicial system that releases violent offenders too easily.
Pearl Jam, for their part, has been vocal against gun violence. In the wake of the Parkland school shooting in 2018, they released the single "Can't Deny Me," dedicating it to advocacy efforts for gun control. They are known for their commitment to activism, frequently addressing themes of social justice in their music and live performances.
The ongoing conversation pits Nugent's pro-gun rhetoric against Pearl Jam's anti-gun violence advocacy, highlighting the deeply polarized views surrounding gun control in the United States. Nugent's recent comments also follow the release of his new song "Who Shot Trump" alongside his son, Rocco, where he reflects on political themes and expresses support for Donald Trump.
As this dialogue continues, it remains to be seen how both parties will respond moving forward.