In an interview with The New York Times , Dave Mustaine categorically denied being a "right-winger." The 64-year-old Megadeth stated that while he is a Christian and respects the law, he does not support a right-wing political bias.
“I am a Christian and I answer to a different set of angels. I obey the law, but no, I am not right-wing. We used to say that religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell, and spirituality is for people like us, who have already been there,” he stated.
Also in the interview, when talking about one of his greatest sources of pride in Megadeth, Dave Mustaine – who became a Christian in 2002 – cited his acceptance speech at the 2017 Grammys , when he explicitly thanked Jesus Christ , something that, according to him, few artists do. "Everyone goes up there and says God, but nobody says Jesus," he said.
Dave Mustaine's political history
In 2024, during a press conference in Peru , Mustaine spoke about his experience going to the White House in 1992 with the Rock The Vote [via Blabbermouth ] .
“I think if you want to say something, you need to know what you’re saying. And I was asked to help people in my country register to vote. Not to become Democrats, not to become Republicans, but to vote. And I always say that when I talk to people, I try to show them both sides and let them choose. I don’t try to tell people what to do in my songs.”
“Would I do it again? I think I kind of still do it every day. Being an example in heavy metal music that not everyone in metal is indifferent to civil issues in their country, singing about things that matter,” he added.
Over the years, Dave Mustaine has rejected simplistic political labels, claiming to be a victim of what he calls "negative partisanship," in which political differences are expressed through hostility.
The Megadeth frontman has stated that his voting record includes both Democratic and Republican candidates, reinforcing that he does not identify with any party. “I have this reputation for being right-wing. Look at my voting record and you’ll see I’ve voted for both Democrats and Republicans. It’s a shame that they’re trying to destroy other people’s careers because of one vote,” he said on the radio show Streets Of Rock 'N' Roll in 2019 [via Blabbermouth ].
2012 interview with Artisan News Donald Trump , although he described him as a successful businessman, while also stating that he would not vote for Hillary Clinton.
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