PYMCA/Avalon/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesThe past few weeks, System of a Down fans have been speculating over a personal divide growing between vocalist Serj Tankian and drummer John Dolmayan due to their differing political opinions, with the former calling for Donald Trump to resign and the latter voicing his support for the president. However, Tankian says that no such divide exists.
In an Instagram post, Tankian writes that he “love[s] and respect[s]” Dolmayan, who is also his brother-in-law.
“My drummer and brother in law @johndolmayan_ whom I love and respect irrespective of our extremely polarized political commentary and differences has always been my stalwart ally in efforts for recognition of the Armenian genocide within SOAD,” Tankian writes.
The singer adds, “The amount of online hate and stupidity against him and I [is] unjustifiable.”
Tankian goes on to say that artists who “truly care and are impassioned” will “risk alienating their base for what they consider the truth.”
“Our dilemma and possible fallacy is that we have two in one band,” he writes. “Some may consider that a weakness but the artistic, political and social dichotomy if not quadrichotomy (not a word) has made @systemofadown what it is today.”
Last week, Tankian wrote that fans who listen to System of a Down songs like “Temper” but support Trump are “hypocrite[s].” Dolmayan, meanwhile, has called Trump “the greatest friend to minorities.”
By Josh Johnson
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