Alternative rock band Red Jumpsuit Apparatus isn’t mincing words when it comes to Donald Trump or the growing fervor of his supporters. Best known for fusing Christian hardcore themes with pop-punk angst, the band has long been a staple for Filipino emo fans, thanks to songs like “Your Guardian Angel,” “Face Down,” and “You Better Pray.” But their latest headline came straight from Instagram, where frontman Ronnie Winter laid his cards on the table.
“If you’re Christian and you’re watching this and you voted for Donald Trump, shame on you,” Winter said on a June 15 Instagram post. “You are not allowed to come to my shows. I don’t want you there. Don’t come to my shows.” For Winter, a self-identified Christian, the issue was hypocrisy. His comments came as Trump faced renewed criticism over immigration crackdowns and the extremist behavior surrounding his base.
Winter followed up with another Instagram post on June 18, this time quoting Kurt Cobain: “If any of you in any way hate homosexuals, people of a different color, or women, please do this one favor for us. Don’t come to our shows and don’t buy our records.” He added his own message: “Voting for Trump doesn’t make you a bad person. Who are you to judge when you directly go against the moral framework that you follow listed in the Bible? I say this with love and as a Christian; stop attempting to ostracize those you disagree with.”
In 2020, Winter had already gone on record with Alternative Press to declare his support for LGBTQIA+ rights, the Black Lives Matter movement, and other marginalized communities, saying bluntly: “I don’t care what anybody thinks about me.” That defiance hasn’t always gone over well with conservative fans, but Winter has never been interested in pandering.
This isn’t the first time a musician has taken a public stance against authoritarian politics. In the Philippines, Apo Hiking Society’s Jim Paredes has long been outspoken on social issues. One of his more viral moments came in 2021, when he criticized Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, calling him “pa-cute” and comparing him to a virus. Rappers like Omar Baliw have also made noise, calling out senatorial candidate Apollo Quiboloy for using his music without permission. These reactions matter, and Winter’s message stands alongside them. What makes these stances resonate are how they draw a line in the sand — challenging fans, not just politicians, and refusing to let music built on empathy share space with bigotry.
Filipino fans who’ve supported the band since their Manila gigs in 2013, 2016, and 2024 now have another reason to tune in, this time not just for the music, but for the values behind it.
