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Green Day Dedicates ‘American Idiot’ At MTV EMAs To Donald Trump

By Jovi Figueroa
Published on: 10:54 PST, Nov 6, 2016

Green Day accepts the World Icon Award at the MTV EMAs and dedicates American Idiot to the biggest American Idiot for them, Donald Trump.

It’s been 30 years since Green Day first came together and tonight, at the MTV EMAs, the once high school band affirms themselves once again as a global phenomenon as they receive MTV EMA’s World Icon Award, Hollywood Life reports. First formed in 1986 by vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, the punk rock band that is Green Day has churned hit after hit throughout the years, with 12 albums and countless awards and nominations to their name. This year’s World Icon Award at the MTV EMAs is Green Day’s fifth accolade from the MTV EMAs, right after 2013’s, 2009’s, and 2005’s Best Rock Awards, and 2005’s Best Album Award.

Political relevance has always been part of the Green Day Rock, with “American Idiot” and “Holiday” two of their most famous and explicitly political songs. “American Idiot,” particularly, has come a long way, released back in 2004 but still very much relevant and in the beat more than 10 years after its release. In fact, in an official statement, Bruce Gillmer, EVP of Talent and Music Programming/Events at Viacom, says the following about Green Day.

“Green Day is without question, one of the worlds’ most influential rock bands. For over two decades, they’ve introduced new generations of fans from around the globe to their impassioned lyrics and raw musical power. Green Day’s raw and exciting music resonates with all kinds of people, all over the world.”

This is why Green Day found it only apt to perform “American Idiot” after they receive their World Icon Award at the MTV EMAs tonight. First, of course, is because of the success that “American Idiot” has brought to Green Day, inspiring high profile covers, accolades, and even a Broadway title to the song. Second, because of its very political nature, Green Day could have specifically found “American Idiot” to be a proper anthem to today’s elections milieu at the United States.

In fact, after receiving the World Icon Award at the MTV EMAs tonight, Green Day vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong says how refreshing it was to be in Europe at the moment, away from the crazy that is the U.S. Presidential Elections.

“It’s nice to be out of America just for a second because of this horrendous election that is going on right now, the entire country is about to have one big collective heart attack.”

And to make their performance of “American Idiot” even more exciting than it already is, Digital Spy reports that throughout the song, Billie Joe switches some of the lyrics from “F*** America” to “Trump America.” Well, at least we know to whom he dedicates “American Idiot”

This is not a huge surprise coming from Green Day since we know that Billie Joe Armstrong is a staunch critic of Donald Trump. In an interview with NME, Billie Joe reveals that although some of his family members are going to vote for Trump, he will keep struggling against him and his misogyny.

“That’s the problem right there. There’s this white nationalism that’s been brewing under the radar for a long time. But now [Trump’s] been able to cause people to lash out and blame minorities and it’s really confusing. I mean, blatant misogyny going on at the same time.”

“I’ve got family members from Oklahoma that are big Trump supporters. And there’s no clear answer on why they’re supporting him because he doesn’t even have any policies. How can you have an opinion about who you want for the Leader of the Free World when the guy running doesn’t have answers to any questions?”

Green Day’s performance of “American Idiot” and their provocative political message was the perfect way to end the MTV EMAs on a very high note. Billie Joe’s parting words were the following.

“We’ve been coming here since we were just a little bit older than you guys. In good health, we are here and we’re very grateful for an amazing career that spans — it’s the same high school band that we’ve been in for 30 years. Stay sexy, my friends.”

Green Day also performed “Bang Bang,” the lead single from their latest album Revolution Radio. Ever since Bang Bang released, it has been topping charts in Canada, U.S., and UK.

[Featured Image by Ian Gavan/Getty Images for MTV]

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