In a fiery and politically charged broadside, Belfast's incendiary rap trio Kneecap has launched a scathing attack on the US justice system over its treatment of former President Donald Trump.
The group, no strangers to controversy themselves, condemned the recent gag order imposed on Trump by New York Judge Juan Merchan as a shocking act of "state-sanctioned" censorship. The order restricts the former president from publicly discussing witnesses, prosecutors, and court staff involved in his ongoing criminal trial.
Taking to their official social media channels, the band—comprised of members Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí—did not hold back. They posted a screenshot of a news article about the ruling alongside a powerful statement that resonated with their own experiences.
"State-sanctioned censorship," they wrote, drawing a direct parallel to their long-standing battles with authority. "Sound familiar?"
The group's statement comes with a profound sense of irony, as Kneecap has itself been a frequent target of political and legal pressure. They famously took the UK government to court—and won—after a controversial decision to block funding for their upcoming biopic, a film that celebrates the Irish language and challenges political norms.
Their defiant stance has cemented their reputation as provocateurs who fiercely guard their right to free expression, making their commentary on the Trump case particularly potent. The band's intervention highlights a global concern about the limits of free speech and the power of the state to silence its critics, a theme central to their own music and public persona.
This latest outburst is sure to galvanise their fanbase and ignite further debate on both sides of the Atlantic, proving once again that Kneecap is as much a political force as it is a musical one.
