US singer-songwriter Ethel Cain has sparked controversy following a social media post in which she used the hashtag #KillMoreCEOs after the December murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The comment, made while sharing a quote on the influence of corporations and lobby groups on US politics, ignited intense backlash, including calls for a boycott of her music by a Fox News panel.
The 26-year-old singer addressed the controversy on her Tumblr blog, clarifying her stance and expressing frustration at how her comments were framed. “I find it funny that conservatives try to paint me calling for the death and destruction of multi-billionaire CEOs as some radical ‘woke liberal’ standpoint,” she wrote. Cain emphasized her background in a “deeply conservative family in the sticks of Florida” and criticized the US healthcare system, saying it had failed “each and every member of my family in a different way.”
Cain’s remarks also addressed broader societal divides, asserting that the politicization of issues like healthcare distracts from shared struggles across political lines. She warned that if “rednecks and hippies lay down their swords long enough to realize they have the same enemy, all hell is gonna break loose.”
Cain’s original Instagram post shared a quote from former US Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, criticizing the influence of health insurance companies, oil corporations, and the National Rifle Association on Congress. She followed it with statements advocating for making corporate leaders “fear for their lives,” claiming violence could sometimes be the only way to effect change. “It seems quite straightforward to me. ‘Violence is never the answer’—wrong. Sometimes it is,” she wrote.
These comments drew sharp criticism from Fox News hosts, including Jason Chaffetz and Guy Benson, who called her statements “sick” and “depraved.” Benson likened her rhetoric to that of terrorists, while co-host Jackie DeAngelis urged listeners to boycott Cain’s music.
The backlash also reignited debates over corporate influence and class struggles in the US, with some sympathizing with Cain’s critique of the healthcare system and others condemning her rhetoric. Cain’s remarks were further complicated by reports that some on social media had praised Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of killing Thompson, who pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and terrorism.
Cain defended her comments, arguing that corporations exploit the working class and disregard their well-being. She drew parallels to historical struggles for unionization, particularly among coal miners, highlighting the disconnect between conservative values and corporate defense.
Ethel Cain is no stranger to controversy. Known for her outspoken views and evocative music, she has earned acclaim for her unique artistry. Her latest album, Perverts, was released just days before the controversy. Cain was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Music last year and has toured with acts like Florence and the Machine and Mitski. Publications such as Billboard and The New York Times have praised her as a “musical auteur” with a bold and unconventional vision.
Despite the backlash, Cain remains defiant, continuing to voice her critiques of systemic inequality. As the debate around her comments unfolds, it highlights deeper tensions over class, politics, and the role of art in societal discourse.
