British rock legend Phil Collins showed off his TDS when he called President Donald Trump “nasty” during a Friday appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored.” Collins casually revealed he has an unwritten song about America sitting in his notebook under the working title “Fat People With Guns.” Nothing like a 75-year-old Genesis frontman to really take the pulse of a nation from across the Atlantic.
When Piers Morgan asked Collins directly what he thought of Trump, the musician said “not a lot” before comparing the president unfavorably to previous commanders in chief. “His whole manner is unattractive,” Collins said. “Even when he’s saying he did nothing. You know, I think that presidents, because historically, presidents have been eloquent and elegant… but you feel like even if you don’t agree with them, you still respect them. But when someone like Trump is as nasty as he is, you end up feeling dislike for him.” High criticism from a man whose biggest hit “Sussudio” sounds like a Kamala Harris word salad.
A Song Title So Flattering, He Wrote It Down So He Wouldn’t Forget
Collins went further when discussing his songwriting process, revealing a phrase he’d been saving for a future track. “I’ve got a song that’s waiting to be written called ‘Fat People with Guns,’ which is about America, you know, and I just write that phrase down so I don’t forget it,” he said. Charming. The man who once sang “You Can’t Hurry Love” is now workshopping insults about the country that made him a superstar.
PR professionals told Fox News Digital that this kind of broad swipe at American culture, rather than at a specific politician or policy, tends to carry real commercial consequences. “Artists with any regard for commercial appeal should ‘measure twice, cut once’ when disparaging American culture, character, and capability,” said Doug Eldridge, founder of Achilles PR. “The statement is free, but the response will prove costly.” Sarah Schmidt, president of PR firm Interdependence, agreed: “If an artist mocks a USA chant from stage, they can face swift and intense backlash because it’s not them commenting on a politician or policy. It’s them criticizing the beliefs of the people who ultimately pay their bills.”
You can find the full interview breakdown in Phil Collins Piers Morgan interview, where Collins also fretted, somewhat irony-free, that Trump might try to stay in office beyond two terms despite the 22nd Amendment making that constitutionally impossible. Trump himself shut down that speculation in August, telling reporters, “I’d love to run, but the law is very strong.” Collins described himself, moments after all of this, as “not a political person.”
Rock Hall Inductee Practices His Acceptance Speech Energy
All of this comes just weeks before Collins is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, a well-earned honor that he is apparently celebrating by alienating half the arena’s potential attendees. Collins’ remarks arrive amid a broader wave of musicians using their platforms to weigh in on American politics, a trend that PR experts say carries increasing risk when the target shifts from a party to the country itself.
For now, “Fat People With Guns” remains unwritten, which is probably for the best. As for what happens next, Collins will collect his Rock Hall honor while Americans will continue to not think about Phil Collins until “In the Air Tonight” comes on a classic rock station. The drum fill still slaps. The political commentary, not so much.
