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By Jordan King
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U2 is facing backlash from some conservative commentators and supporters of President Donald Trump after releasing a song in tribute to Renée Good, whom a federal agent shot and killed in Minneapolis last month.
On Wednesday, the Irish rock band released "American Obituary," the first track on a six-song EP called Days of Ash.
Multiple figures in the Make America Great Again movement have spoken out against the song, with one writing on X, "Bono f****** sucks."
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Why It Matters
On January 7, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot Good, a U.S. citizen, as she was driving away. Officials, including President Donald Trump, have said the ICE agent acted in self-defense, arguing that Good attempted to ram him with her vehicle. On January 24, federal immigration agents fatally shot another U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis. The killings have heightened anti-ICE sentiment and sparked nationwide protests and boycotts that touched even the Grammys and Winter Olympics in Milan.
U2 has long been known for their politically themed music, previously drawing both praise and criticism for engaging in global humanitarian and policy debates. The band's decision to address Good's shooting and U.S. immigration enforcement in their new song further fuels debate over ICE's actions and the administration's broader immigration crackdown.
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What To Know
In "American Obituary," U2 sings: "Renee Good born to die free/American mother of three/Seventh day January/A bullet for each child, you see/The color of her eye/930 Minneapolis/To desecrate domestic bliss/Three bullets blast, three babies kissed/Renee the domestic terrorist???/What you can't kill can't die/America will rise/Against the people of the lie/I love you more/Than hate loves war."
Conservative commentator Jack Posobiec, who referred to Good as an agitator, criticized the song on X, writing, "U2 releases tribute song dedicated to Renee Good, the MN agitator who attacked ICE agent with her SUV."
Matthew Nichol, a MAGA supporter with 64,000 followers, wrote on X: "Bono f****** sucks! U2 f****** suck!! Go back to Ireland. We don't want you."
Fox and Friends host Brian Kilmeade wrote on the platform: "Of all nations & artists that should judge US—Ireland & Bono should be LAST! Insane immigration is ruining their nation—try the 30k dead Iran protestors a stanza for those shot in hospital beds!"
"American Obituary" was one of multiple political songs on Days of Ash. Bono said a full-length album was still in the works, but that the six tracks "were impatient to be out in the world."
The EP also includes a poem by Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai and songs about the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
What People Are Saying
Bono said of Days of Ash in a statement: "They are songs of defiance and dismay, of lamentation. Songs of celebration will follow, we're working on those now."
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, previously told Newsweek that Good "was using her vehicle to block-in law enforcement officers and impede lawful operations."
She added: "She then proceeded to weaponize her vehicle, a deadly weapon, and hit a federal law enforcement officer. The ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement, and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots.
"Peaceful protest is a sacred First Amendment right. This was not that. If you impede law enforcement operations, ignore law commands, and use a deadly weapon to kill or cause bodily harm to a federal law enforcement office there are dangerous, and in this case deadly, consequences. This was entirely preventable."
Renée Good's parents, Tim and Donna Ganger, and her four siblings, said in a statement shared with Newsweek last month: "We want to thank everyone who has reached out in support of Renée and our family. The kind of unending care we've been given during this time is exactly the kind that she gave to everyone. Nae was the beautiful light of our family and brought joy to anyone she met. She was relentlessly hopeful and optimistic which was contagious. We all already miss her more than words could ever express."
President Donald Trump said during a news conference marking his first year back in office: "You know, when the woman was shot, I felt terribly about that. And I understand both sides of it."
What Happens Next
Immigration enforcement policy remains a central focus of the Trump administration, and the Minneapolis shooting that inspired "American Obituary" continues to draw attention, with investigations and community discussions ongoing.
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