‘PUNK IN THE PARK’ AND THE FUTILITY OF ETHICAL SPENDING
Image Provided By Dicky Stock
What is considered selling out in the 2020s? Is it the artist formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly hitching on to the pop-punk revival? Is it me allowing my editor to insert the word “alleged” before I state that the president of the United States is a child rapist? Or is it playing at a music festival organized by a guy who donated the equivalent of a keg and a half of beer to the “alleged” child rapist’s campaign?
After accumulating fan outrage and a good chunk of the bands pulling out, Punk in the Park 2026 has been cancelled. Why? A Federal Election Commission report shows a contribution from Cameron Collins, owner of Brew Ha Ha Productions, to nepo baby and failed Broadway musical producer Donald Trump for $225 on May 30, 2024, which is about the cost of two hoodies, three beers, and a hot dog at the average American music festival.
Brew Ha Ha produces various punk rock festivals, including Punk in the Park, Punk in Drublic, and the upcoming Me Gusta tour, headlined by eardrum pollutant Sublime. The latter should be expected to continue as Sublime has already played at a Trump golf course for Don Jr.
“Trump in the Park,” as it had come to be known, ignited an outcry from fans and artists. Previous performers of the Punk in the Park festival have spoken out and refused to return. “Punk Rock and Donald Trump just don't belong together,” stated the Dropkick Murphys.
Screenshot from @theadictsofficial/Instagram.
Brandon Alan Lewis, founder of Punkerton Records, was among the first to post about the donation on Threads. “We won’t pretend this is okay. This isn’t the least bit punk rock.”
Collins’ donation and vote were in hopes to "end wars and refrain from entering new international conflicts, lower taxes, and stopping government overreach," according to his statement. Thankfully, the U.S. is still donating $3.8 billion per year to fund Israel’s genocide in addition to supplying them with missiles, rifles, and jet fuel. And maybe you’ve heard about what we did in Iran. Collins stated that “the festival has not and will not donate any of its proceeds to any political party” despite the donation featuring his company’s name.
Yes, donating the money you found in your couch cushions to the guy who treats his government salary like Jay Leno treats his Tonight Show money does sound hilariously pointless, but at least the economy has improved. Right?
Screenshot from @NakedAggressionBand/Instagram.
Brew Ha Ha Productions is based out of Orange County, where conservatives and punk rockers have been clashing for half a century. Present-day Orange County is best summed up as Gwen Stefani telling you to download an app so you can pray with her during Lent. Bands have already started pulling out of Brew Ha Ha’s upcoming OC Super Show, so expect a similar outcome to Punk in the Park.
So what are the alternatives to Brew Ha Ha Productions? Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, became one of the largest corporate backers of Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration when it donated $500,000. Everyone involved at that company deserves the same fate as the original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
You’ve likely come across this article linked through a website owned by Meta, a company that donated $1M to Trump’s inauguration fund. But where else are you going to post thirst traps and hope your crush sees the funny AI-generated video of android Charlie Kirk fighting android George Floyd you reposted to your Stories?
It’s important to vote with our dollars, which is why shopping now feels like going with the lesser of two evils. Here’s who you can support: To our understanding, Sound and Fury, Riotfest, and the recently revived Hellfest have no ties to political slimeballs or Ticketmaster. Feel free to let us know in the comments if anyone involved deserves a UnitedHealth CEO type departure. And check out a smaller show in your neighborhood.
