Mumford & Sons Banjo Player Winston Marshall Slammed For Praising Right-Wing Journalist Andy Ngo's 'Important Book'
Mumford & Sons lead guitarist and banjo player, Winston Marshall, has been heavily criticized after he tweeted that he was reading right-wing journalist Andy Ngo’s book.
"Congratulations @MrAndyNgo," Marshall wrote on Saturday, March 6. "Finally had to time read your important book. You're a brave man."
The 33-year-old also shared a photo of the book Unmasked: Inside Antifa's Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy in the tweet, which has since been deleted.
The Los Angeles Times dubbed Ngo’s book "supremely dishonest." According to the outlet, Ngo described the protests and riots that took place at the Capitol on January 6 as "peaceful and celebratory." He also reportedly downplayed the deaths of Heather Heyer, who was killed at a protest in 2017, and Trayvon Martin, who was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in 2012.
Ngo reportedly called the Proud Boys a "pro-Trump fraternity" and referred to left-wing protestors as a “marauding gang” with a mission to "destroy the nation-state, America in particular."
This is not the first time the band has landed themselves in hot water for their political views. In 2018, they invited Jordan Peterson to their London studio and posed for a photo with the Canadian academic, who has been accused of being transphobic, sexist and Islamophobic.
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"I primarily was very interested in Dr. Peterson’s work on psychology, read both his books and found it very, very interesting, and met him [through] a mutual acquaintance and invited him down to the studio whilst he was in London on tour, which was very interesting and one of many interesting visits [from various figures] we had in the studio," Marshall said afterward.
"I don’t think that having a photograph with someone means you agree with everything they say."
Neither Marshall or Mumford & Sons have publicly addressed the backlash to the recent tweet. The band is made up of Marshall, Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane.
Scroll down to see the reactions:
Ignorance Is Bliss
Some fans wished they didn't learn of Marshall's political views.
Shock
One fan joked that the band must have been trending due to their "innovative musicality" and "strong recent albums."
Disappointment
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One fan lamented that Marshall had reinforced "all the bad stereotypes about what it means when you hear 'the sound of banjos.'"
'Sketchy Bands'
Screaming Females felt differently about playing with Mumford & Sons after the tweet.
Fire Him?
Many fans asked that Marshall be kicked out of the band.
Cancel Culture
One fan noted that Mumford & Sons should not be "guilty by association" but should make a statement about Marshall's beliefs.