Ozzy Osbourne: 5 memorable moments in politics
Share and Follow


English rockstar Ozzy Osbourne, who died Tuesday, was beloved by fans in the U.S., but the former Black Sabbath frontman had a hot-and-cold relationship with American politics.

Here are some memorable moments from the time that Osbourne, who died at age 76, spent dabbling in the U.S. political scene:

WHCA, WHCA, WHCA:

Osbourne was a featured guest at the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA)’s annual fĂȘte at the heigh of his publicity resurgence in 2002 and, by many accounts, “stole the show.”

Then-President George W. Bush opened his speech welcoming, “Washington power brokers, celebrities, Hollywood stars, Ozzy Osbourne,” while pronouncing his surname as “Os-burn.”

Osbourne then stood on the table and raised his hands in the air in front of the cheering crowd.

“Ozzy, mom loves your stuff,” the then-president quipped, referring to former first lady Barbara Bush.

According to reports at the time, Osbourne and his wife, Sharon, made their way to the president’s table during the event.

“Ozzy told [Bush] he should grow his hair long,” Sharon Osbourne told the New York Daily News.

The well-coiffed president reportedly replied, “maybe in the second term.”

Members of Congress, politicos mourn:

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) was among the first lawmakers to post about Osbourne’s death on Tuesday.

“Ozzy was a true pioneer of heavy metal and an enduring symbol of the rebellious, freedom-loving spirit that resonates across our nation and throughout the world,” she wrote. “He will be missed.”

The Libertarian Party of New York also posted a tribute, along with a video of Osbourne singing Black Sabbath’s 1970 anti-war protest song “War Pigs.”

“Don’t forget to call out the war pigs all around us,” the group wrote.

Anti-war efforts

Osbourne was a well-known anti-war activist. When the GOP used his song “Crazy Train” at a campaign event without permission in 2004, he spoke out against the U.S. military campaign in Iraq.

A few lines from Black Sabbath’s 1970 song “War Pigs”:

“Politicians hide themselves away

They only started the war

Why should they go out to fight?

They leave that role to the poor…”

In an episode of “The Osbournes” podcast last year, he warned that the U.S. should be ready for another war.

“If there’s a war again, which it looks like [it] very possibly could, China’s already for it,” he said. “They’ve got mandatory [military service].”

“You got a choice: You gotta go to jail or military,” he added.

Going off the rails…

Many musicians have taken issue with President Trump’s use of their tunes during his campaigns, and Osbourne is no exception.

When Trump used the song “Crazy Train” to blast Democrats in a 2019 video on social media, the Osbournes asked him to stop.

“Based on this morning’s unauthorized use of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train,’ we are sending notice to the Trump campaign (or any other campaigns) that they are forbidden from using any of Ozzy Osbourne’s music in political ads or in any political campaigns,” Osbourne’s team said in a statement at the time. “Ozzy’s music cannot be used for any means without approvals.”

“In the meantime, we have a suggestion for Mr. Trump: perhaps he should reach out to some of his musician friends. Maybe Kanye West (‘Gold Digger’), Kid Rock (‘I Am the Bullgod’) or Ted Nugent (‘Stranglehold’) will allow use of their music,” the statement added.

Across the pond

Osbourne was a critic of the so-called “Brexit” movement in his home country. He called the effort a “f— joke” in an interview with the music magazine “The Big Issue” in 2018.

“I don’t understand Brexit I don’t think anybody does,” he told the outlet. “You watch TV, and it’s all this shouting and screaming about Brexit, but nobody’s got a f—ng clue what it really means.”

“Brexit” was the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union alliance in 2020, following a far-right push that’s been celebrated by some in the U.S.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Stream It Or Skip It?

Ultimate Guide: Should You Stream or Skip the Latest Must-Watch Show?

When diving into a Korean drama on Netflix, viewers often anticipate episodes…
Trump Greenland envoy disinvited from dog sled race amid heightened rhetoric

Trump’s Greenland Representative Barred from Dog Sled Event Amid Rising Tensions

Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana, who serves as President Donald Trump’s envoy…
Trump seizes seventh Venezuela-linked oil tanker

Trump Confiscates Seventh Oil Tanker with Ties to Venezuela

In a significant intensification of its ‘maximum pressure’ strategy against Venezuela, the…
Deputies: Florida man shoots, kills 3 tourists outside home near Disney World

Tragic Encounter: Florida Man Fatally Shoots 3 Tourists Near Disney World

A tragic incident has unfolded in a neighborhood near Walt Disney World,…
Minnesota law enforcement raises concerns about ICE agents racially profiling citizens

Unveiling Racial Profiling Concerns: Minnesota Law Enforcement Challenges ICE Practices

Authorities in Minnesota have raised alarms about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)…
Denmark ramps up defenses in Greenland as Trump zeros in on control of territory

Denmark Strengthens Greenland’s Defenses Amid U.S. Interest in Territorial Control

On Monday, Denmark took decisive action by increasing its military footprint in…
Alexander brothers trade trophy listings for jury trial as accuser’s recent death shadows case

Alexander Brothers Face Jury Trial as Accuser’s Recent Passing Casts a Shadow Over High-Profile Case

The once-dominant figures in the world of luxury real estate, brothers Tal…
Video shows anti-ICE agitator berating Christians in Minnesota church service

Controversial Clash: Anti-ICE Activist Confronts Congregation at Minnesota Church Service

A disruptive scene unfolded at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, as…