Tom Morello has turned a holiday merch sale into a political statement, something entirely on brand for the Rage Against the Machine guitarist, who’s spent decades using every platform he has to push back against authoritarianism.
Earlier this week, Tom Morello jumped on Instagram to promote a sitewide discount on his merch store, framing the drop as both festive and confrontational.
“Want to celebrate holiday cheer AND annoy the hell out of your alt-right relatives this holiday season? We got ya covered! 30% OFF SITEWIDE STARTS NOW! Go to the link in bio to grab your 100% sweatshop free gear now. #HoHoHo” he wrote, making it clear the campaign had more bite than your average seasonal promotion.
The post arrives at a moment when Morello has been especially visible at political demonstrations across the US. Earlier this month, he shared photos from Washington, D.C., where he marched outside the White House wearing a shirt that read “Destroy American Fascism.”
Another shot showed him standing beside a provocative statue of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands, a piece of protest art that’s been circulating through activist communities.
Morello also posted images from a recent performance, showcasing his guitar emblazoned with “F ICE,”* continuing a long running pattern of using onstage visuals as protest tools.
The day in D.C. ended with a moment tailor made for Rage Against The Machine diehards and Springsteen fans alike, Morello capped the night performing “The Ghost of Tom Joad” and “Kick Out the Jams,” backed by E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg.
He summed it up online: “Great day/night in DC from a timely White House visit to rocking ‘The Ghost Of Tom Joad’ & ‘Kick Out The Jams’ with the mighty @mightymaxweinberg of the E Street Band! Who was there?”
If the merch promo makes anything clear, it’s that Morello has no intention of softening his message heading into the new year. Whether it’s a guitar, a protest, or a t-shirt, he’s still using whatever he can to get the point across.
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