Dave Grohl has made a rare political statement, describing the United States as “deeply divided” and asserting that “there needs to be change.” The Foo Fighters frontman shared these views during an interview with the Irish Times published on April 11, 2026, as the band prepared to release their 12th studio album, ‘Your Favorite Toy,’ later that month.
Grohl, who has historically avoided overt political commentary in his career, acknowledged the difficulty of remaining apolitical while living in the current American climate. He referenced fellow musician Neil Young’s ongoing criticism of former President Donald Trump, stating, “Fucking Neil Young is angrier than ever—jeez Louise. But yeah, of course, it’s hard not to feel political living in America, where we’re deeply divided.”
He continued, expressing frustration with the prevailing social atmosphere: “And there’s injustice and there’s so much hate and fear, and it’s such a drag. I try to love everyone, because I think that’s what you’re supposed to do—and I do. But there needs to be change in that direction, and it’s been hard to find in the States.”
The interview coincided with promotional activities for ‘Your Favorite Toy,’ which was officially released on April 24, 2026, through Roswell Records and Columbia Records. Grohl had previously described the album in February 2026 as featuring “uptempo” and “noisy, loud bangers” that evoke the energy of the band’s earlier work. The lead single, ‘Caught In The Echo,’ was released ahead of the album and received attention for its raw, aggressive sound.
This recent commentary marks one of Grohl’s more explicit political statements in recent years. In 2017, he criticized Trump’s environmental policies and stance on women’s rights, questioning what kind of future his daughters would inherit without progressive change. He also noted that the Foo Fighters’ 2017 album ‘Concrete And Gold’ was partly shaped by the political climate following Trump’s election, citing a growing “wave of conservatism” in the country.
Grohl has also spoken publicly about feeling “ashamed” of Trump’s presidency when traveling abroad, and he condemned the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection as “the craziest fucking shit I’ve ever seen in my entire life.” Earlier in his career, the Foo Fighters gained attention for counter-protesting the Westboro Baptist Church in 2015 by playing Rick Astley’s ‘Never Gonna Offer You Up’—a practice known as Rickrolling—during a demonstration in Kansas.
Beyond the album cycle, Grohl and the Foo Fighters have maintained an active touring schedule. In early 2026, they performed a series of intimate shows across the UK and Ireland, including stops in Dublin, London, and Manchester. These performances featured unreleased material such as the track ‘Of All People.’
The band announced plans for a European ‘Take Cover’ stadium tour later in summer 2026, with two shows scheduled at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. They also confirmed North American tour dates for summer and autumn 2026, followed by an Australia and New Zealand leg spanning 2026 and 2027.
In March 2026, the Foo Fighters addressed recent lineup changes, stating that the departure of drummer Josh Freese was “a decision that was best for all parties.” Grohl emphasized that the band collectively knows “what feels best for our band” when making such decisions, reflecting on the process with a sense of resolution rather than conflict.
As of April 2026, Dave Grohl continues to balance his role as a prominent rock musician with occasional reflections on the state of American society. His latest remarks underscore a growing concern among public figures about national polarization, while reaffirming his personal commitment to empathy and the need for systemic change.