Winston with wife Diana Argon
Mumford & Sons’ banjoist, Winston Marshall, is stepping away from the band he helped form. Another entertainer taken down by their own words on social media.
In a since deleted tweet, Marshall promoted Andy Ngo’s Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy.
“Congratulations @MrAndyNgo,” he wrote. “Finally had time read your important book. You’re a brave man.”
But due to Andy Ngo’s political views, considered very conservative, many saw it as a support of Proud Boys or even QAnon. And they began airing their anger on twitter. Before long, Marshall was bowing out of the band.
Marshall, 33, said in a statement posted on Twitter:
“Over the past few days I have come to better understand the pain caused by the book I endorsed. I have offended not only a lot of people I don’t know, but also those closest to me, including my bandmates and for that I am truly sorry. As a result of my actions I am taking time away from the band to examine my blindspots. For now, please know that I realise how my endorsements have the potential to be viewed as approvals of hateful, divisive behaviour. I apologise, as this was not at all my intention.”
The band has yet to issue a statement on Marshall’s initial tweet or his decision to take a break from the band, but this isn’t the first time they’ve had this type of controversy.
Back in 2018 various members of the group posed for a photograph with conservative YouTube personality and clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson, whom EW reported “had been accused of transphobia, misogyny, and Islamophobia.”
Marshall told a radio station that he was just interested in psychology and it meant nothing.