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Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
System of a Down's John Dolmayan Says Donald Trump ‘Brings a Little Sanity Back' to the U.S.
System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan has shared more insights into his fondness for U.S. President Donald Trump, despite the notably progressive views espoused by his band. Dolmayan, who joined System of a Down in 1997, shared his recent opinions in a recent discussion with Australian YouTuber Lilian Tahmasian. Throughout the lengthy conversation, the drummer turned his attention to the ever-present topic of politics, addressing his support for the President and confirming that he voted for Trump during his 2024 campaign. More from Billboard A Day To Remember's 'Big Ole Album Vol. 1' Hits Top 10 on Album Sales Chart After Physical-First Release Liam Gallagher Gears Up For Oasis Reunion With Jokes About Band Line-Up: 'Peppa Pig on Drums' Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and Too $hort Invest in Oakland Minor League Baseball Team 'I'm glad he won, because it brings a little sanity back,' Dolmayan explained. 'Irrespective of what you hear out there, it's much more sane with him than it was without him.' As he continued, Dolmayan – who moved from Beirut to California as a two-year-old amidst the Lebanese Civil War – agreed with Trump's border policy, explaining that while the U.S. thrives on immigration, he believes it must be done 'a certain way.' 'We need law and order,' he continued. 'Just like you lock your door at night, you don't want somebody coming to your house when you have secure borders. We need people coming to this country. We all came to this country. And we need more people coming in. And the United States should always be a bastion for people that need it. Maybe they get oppression one way or the other in their countries and they need to leave. Or maybe they just want a fresh start. Or maybe they wanna be part of something that's unique and interesting like the United States. And they should be allowed to do that, but do it a certain way — pay taxes, whatever you need to do, and live your life.' Dolmayan's outspoken support for Trump has been notable in recent years. In 2023, he took to social media to reveal he had lost friends and 'hundreds of thousands' of followers due to his support for the President and his 'unwillingness to accept the narratives [his followers] are now questioning the validity of.' Speaking to Tahmasian, however, Dolmayan explained that the left or right side of politics 'makes no difference' to him, instead claiming he's against 'who's doing wrong at this time.' 'If the conservatives go way off on the right and become too religious or whatever the case may be, where they're infringing on people, then I'm gonna be with the Democrats at that point, because I'm not a politician and I don't give a shit about the political parties. I'm a realist,' he explained. 'And whatever's good for people, that's what I'm gonna fight for. So I'll always be the enemy. I can never win.' System of a Down released five albums between 1998 and 2005, with 2001's Toxicity, and Hypnotize and Mezmerize (both 2005) all hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The group embarked on a four-year hiatus in 2006, later reforming in 2010 and continuing to perform live sporadically since. In 2020, System of a Down released the singles 'Protect the Land' and 'Genocidal Humanoidz,' though the band have shown no indication of recording a further studio album, with Dolmayan claiming that he's felt 'frustration' with the group's lack of musical progress. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
System of a Down's John Dolmayan Thinks Trump 'Brings a Little Sanity Back' to the White House
The post System of a Down's John Dolmayan Thinks Trump 'Brings a Little Sanity Back' to the White House appeared first on Consequence. System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan says he's 'glad' Donald Trump is back in the White House, even going so far as to say that his presidency 'brings a little sanity back' to the United States. It's no secret that Dolmayan is a Trump supporter, although he wasn't as vocal about Trump's second run for president as he was back in 2016 or during his first term. The drummer used to flood his Instagram page with right-wing beliefs, much to the chagrin of his liberal bandmate Serj Tankian, but has largely avoided politics on his social pages the past couple years. Get System of a Down Tickets Here Now, in a new interview with Australian YouTube personality Lilian Tahmasian (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), Dolmayan has opened up once again about his support for Trump, and the complex nature of the differing political beliefs between System of a Down members. Dolmayan confirmed that he voted for Trump in the 2024 election, declaring, 'I'm glad he won, because it brings a little sanity back. Irrespective of what you hear out there, it's much more sane with him than it was without him. We need law and order. Just like you lock your door at night, you don't want somebody coming to your house when you have secure borders.' He continued, 'We need people coming to this country. We all came to this country. And we need more people coming in. And the United States should always be a bastion for people that need it. Maybe they get oppression one way or the other in their countries and they need to leave. Or maybe they just want a fresh start. Or maybe they wanna be part of something that's unique and interesting like the United States. And they should be allowed to do that, but do it a certain way — pay taxes, whatever you need to do, and live your life.' Elsewhere in the conversation, Dolmayan remarked, 'I don't believe in the 'woke' culture at all. It's no secret what my belief system is. And I also don't think having lifelong career politicians is good for society.' As for his complicated relationship with Tankian, who is also his brother-in-law, Dolmayan admitted, 'Yeah, well, we had problems with that, because Serj is very outspoken. And he has one way of thinking. Some things we agree with — the rest of the band — some things we don't. Some things we're exactly on par with. My belief system is a little different.' He added, 'With Serj, it was, like, well, we don't want that to be the only thing, because we don't feel like that's the only element of System of a Down. It's a big part of the band. Justice is a big part of that. Justice has no politics. It's either just or unjust. It has no political affiliation. It either is or it isn't. There's a lot of things that come into play — morality. So we just didn't want it to be the only focal point.' While System of a Down haven't released a new album in nearly 20 years, the band continues to play sporadic concerts. This summer, SOAD are headlining massive stadium shows two nights each in East Rutherford, New Jersey (with Korn); Chicago (with Avenged Sevenfold); and Toronto (with Deftones). Pick up tickets here. Watch John Dolmayan's interview with Lilian Tahmasian in the video below. System of a Down's John Dolmayan Thinks Trump 'Brings a Little Sanity Back' to the White House Heavy Consequence Staff Popular Posts Jon Stewart Calls Out Elon Musk for Flaking on The Daily Show Interview Faster Pussycat Singer's Fiancée Dies After Falling Overboard on '80s Cruise That Band Was Playing Mike Myers Debuts Elon Musk Impersonation in SNL Cold Open: Watch Queens of the Stone Age Announce US Tour Dates with The Kills Neil Young to Play Free Concert in Ukraine Hamilton Cancels Show at Kennedy Center Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
