john-lydon-good-morning-britain
John Lydon

John Lydon backs Brexit, defends Trump on UK morning show

john-lydon-good-morning-britain

John Lydon has settled down in his 60s, ever remaining the provocateur, though perhaps in ways you might not expect from Sex Pistols-era Johnny Rotten. Appearing today on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Lydon gave his support to both Brexit and, somewhat, Donald Trump. Speaking to hosts Piers Morgan (Trump defender and former CNN employee) and Susanna Reid, Lydon said meeting (Brexit figurehead) Nigel Farage was “fantastic” and volunteered, “The working class have spoken and I’m one of them and I’m with them.”

When Reid mentioned that Lydon is now an American citizen and that Donald Trump is his leader, the Public Image Ltd frontman replied “Complicated fellow,” adding “One journalist once said to me, ‘is he the political Sex Pistol?’ In a way. What I dislike is the left-wing media in America are trying to smear the bloke as a racist and that’s completely not true, There are many, many problems with him as a human being but he’s not that and there just might be a chance something good will come out of that situation because he terrifies politicians.” He then finished with “This is a joy to behold for me. Dare I say, a possible friend.” Prior to the election, Lydon told UK publication Metro, “People still can’t see the wood for the trees there. Everything instinctively tells me that [Trump] is a wrong’un – and I think he’s just one short temper away from World War Three, that fella!” You can watch Lydon’s Good Morning Britain interview below.

Lydon will be in NYC for the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival to take part in a post-screening Q&A for the World Premiere of documentary The Public Image is Rotten, which follows Lydon’s post-Pistols career. It happens April 21 at TFF Hub (tickets).