In a recent opinion piece published by Fox News, columnist David Marcus sharply criticized U2 frontman Bono for what he described as misguided activism in the band's new single, 'American Obituary.' The song, released this week, serves as a protest anthem against what Bono portrays as fascist policies under the Trump administration targeting illegal immigrant criminals. Marcus, writing from West Virginia, accused Bono of oversimplifying a complex incident involving the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent in Minneapolis last week.
According to Marcus, the lyrics of 'American Obituary' reference Good, an American mother of three, with lines such as 'Renee Good born to die free / American mother of three / A bullet for each child, you see.' He mocked the song's style, comparing it to Dr. Seuss and calling it a 'flaccid' effort from a band that 'hasn’t produced a relevant song since the invention of the iPod.' The track is positioned as a critique of immigration enforcement, but Marcus argued it distorts the facts of Good's death on January 14, 2026, claiming she was 'hitting the officer with her car' at the time she was shot.
Fox News obtained an image of Good moments before the incident, showing her near the scene in Minneapolis. Protests erupted in response, with demonstrators gathering in front of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, to demand justice for Good. Images from the event depict crowds holding signs and chanting, while a separate photo shows an ICE agent outside a residential house, amid reports of threats against federal agents, including a long letter sent to a local California Republican Party office calling for violence against ICE personnel.
Marcus's piece, titled 'Memo to Bono: Please shut up and go away,' extends beyond the song to a broader indictment of Bono's four-decade career in activism. He described the Irish singer as a 'prancing clown' who 'parrots every lefty billionaire's cause' and has been 'wrong about most of them.' Specific examples cited include Bono's appearances at every Clinton Global Initiative Gala, conferences on global warming where he flies on private jets while decrying carbon emissions, and UN-led 'feed the children' campaigns that Marcus alleged mostly enrich African warlords.
'For 40 years Bono has parroted every lefty billionaire's cause, been wrong about most of them, flown around on private jets while complaining about carbon emissions and just generally been annoying,' Marcus wrote.
The columnist positioned Bono as the 'poster child of global liberalism, with all the smarmy smugness that comes with it,' arguing that his role has overshadowed any musical relevance. He noted that U2 audiences primarily attend shows to hear 1980s hits, not new material, and referenced the 2014 incident when Apple automatically downloaded the band's album 'Songs of Innocence' onto users' devices without consent. 'That happened because nobody actually wanted the latest U2 album,' Marcus claimed. 'If people wanted it, they would not have given it to us, they’d have made us buy it.'
To illustrate his point on celebrity incentives, Marcus contrasted Bono with British singer Morrissey, whose upcoming album 'Make-up Is A Lie' faced delays in release despite high demand because it confronts Islamic terrorism and defends Western values. 'Morrissey has famously never bent the knee to the record industry when told what to say or when to shut up,' Marcus wrote. 'Bono lives on that knee, lives off of that knee, and is likely too set in his ways to ever stand up again.' He suggested this dynamic sends a message to entertainers: 'Push the progressive Soros agenda or else. You can be rich and famous or you can challenge the left’s holy truths, not both.'
The opinion piece also touched on related celebrity activism, linking to other Fox News articles criticizing figures like Billie Eilish for her anti-ICE speech at the Grammys, where she reportedly cried about 'stolen land' before returning to her $2.3 million California mansion. Marcus referenced Bill Maher roasting Eilish, saying 'knowledge matters,' and Kevin O'Leary warning celebrities to 'shut your mouth and just entertain.' Similarly, he mentioned Bruce Springsteen jabbing Trump as a 'wannabe king' during his concert tour 'In Defense of America,' and Jonathan Turley commenting that 'Say Her Name' has become a radical rallying cry for Democrats' mob rule.
Context for the song's release comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to arrest and deport individuals classified as criminal illegal immigrants, a policy Bono's lyrics decry as oppressive. Good's death has fueled protests, with demonstrators in St. Paul accusing federal agents of overreach. However, according to Marcus, Bono omitted key details, such as Good's actions during the confrontation, to stoke anger 'at the behest of the billionaires who sign his checks.'
Bono's history of blending music with social causes dates back to U2's formation in 1976, but Marcus argued that modern efforts lack the authenticity of 1960s protest music. 'The protest music of the 1960s was important because it was organic. It was of a piece with the sounds of that culture itself,' he wrote. 'Bono’s neoliberal rehashing bears no resemblance to the fiery anger, the Palestinian flags, and the Black Bloc Antifa crews of 2026 anti-government agitation.' He dismissed 'American Obituary' as a 'puff piece' and Bono's attempt to position himself as 'Gen Z’s Bob Dylan' for campus protests.
Broader Hollywood responses to Good's death have been described in linked Fox News coverage as 'hollow,' with articles titled 'Pins, platitudes and silence: Hollywood’s hollow response to Renee Good' and 'Hollywood’s selective silence on Iran exposes the lie of celebrity activism.' These pieces suggest selective outrage among left-leaning stars, who Marcus implied prioritize agendas funded by figures like George Soros, who is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Biden on Saturday at the White House, alongside Hillary Clinton and 17 others.
Marcus concluded his critique with a plea:
In the name of love, I am imploring Bono to just finally shut the hell up. We can all make our political judgments with or without you, and honestly, after decades of your puerile pontifications, the latter would be preferable.He portrayed Bono as having been elevated to the 'pope of pop culture' despite being 'terrible at it,' calling for an end to his 'tepid rule.'
The release of 'American Obituary' has sparked debate over the role of celebrities in politics, especially as 2026 unfolds with ongoing protests and policy clashes. U2, known for albums like 'The Joshua Tree' from 1987, continues to tour globally, but this single highlights divisions in how public figures engage with current events. While Marcus's piece represents a conservative viewpoint decrying perceived hypocrisy, supporters of Bono's activism might see the song as a necessary call for accountability in immigration enforcement.
Immigration advocates have pointed to Good's case as emblematic of broader concerns, though official investigations into the shooting remain ongoing. Federal officials have not publicly detailed the circumstances beyond confirming the agent's involvement, and ICE has emphasized its focus on public safety. As protests continue in Minnesota and beyond, the song's impact on public discourse could influence upcoming discussions in Congress on deportation policies.
Looking ahead, U2's future releases and Bono's activism will likely face continued scrutiny from critics like Marcus, who subscribe to Fox News newsletters for opinion recaps. Meanwhile, the entertainment industry grapples with balancing artistic expression and political statements, as seen in Morrissey's independent stance versus mainstream conformity. The Appleton Times will monitor developments in Good's case and related cultural debates.