OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder thinks it’s a “super bummer” that people are protesting Trump instead of celebrating the US Army’s 250th anniversary

OneRepublic frontman and producer Ryan Tedder has criticised protests against Donald Trump instead of celebrating the US Army’s 250th anniversary over the weekend – see what he had to say below.

• READ MORE: Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! – Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic

On Saturday (June 14), countless people across the United States gathered to protest against President Donald Trump and his policies during his ongoing second presidency. The protests coincided with the President’s 79th birthday, as well as a military parade that he commissioned to celebrate the US Army’s 250th anniversary.

The protests, dubbed No Kings, were organised by the 50501 Movement to oppose one-person authoritarian rule. The protests are described as such via its website: “President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday… but real power isn’t staged in Washington… We’re taking action to reject authoritarianism – and show the world what democracy looks like… to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”

Among the celebrities who have been spotted at these protests, or have voiced their support for it online include Olivia Rodrigo, Moby, Mark Ruffalo, Ayo Edebiri, Gracie Abrams, Kerry Washington, Jimmy Kimmel, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and more.

One celebrity who isn’t happy about the protests however, is OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, who took to Instagram to share his thoughts in now-expired Stories: “I have around 20 family members & grandparents that all fought in wars from the revolutionary war (actually) through to WWII/Korea.. all politics & parties and righteous indignation aside it’s a super bummer that instead of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army and all those who have fought and died on our behalf… we’re protesting.”

Tedder continued: “I haven’t been a card carrying political member of either side for 20 years & think at this point everything is absurd 99% of the time… but I’d like to say THANK YOU to all of the Army service members active and retired and those who have given their lives to protect our freedom… to protest.”

Songwriter Ryan Tedder talks about the anti-Trump protests:

“It’s a super bummer that instead of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army and all those who have fought and died on our behalf…we’re protesting.” pic.twitter.com/t1b2OYunTE

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) June 15, 2025

In a separate post that have been screen-grabbed and shared on X, the singer-producer also wrote: “obv we ain’t trying to have “Kings”… but also – 250 years of any Army considering all the lives lost.. is major – they deserve to be celebrated. All I’m sayin, maybe I’m nuts.”

Tedder – who has produced for the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Adele, BLACKPINK, Tate McRae and more – has since courted criticism for his posts on social media. Some users have called his take “ignorant”, while another writing that Tedder’s post criticising protests shows he’s “definitely picked a side”.

Another wrote “We do that Ryan, every Memorial Day and Veterans Day. You’re not going to question why this event had to happen on Trump’s birthday?” while another added “Dude must’ve missed the part where veterans got dragged away by police for protesting this parade.”

See more reactions below.

FUCK RYAN TEDDER. This is not it you asshole. Must be nice to not care about politics for the last 20 years because in no way does it affect you in any way you white straight man. pic.twitter.com/1mlQ69VwK4

— Jo (@withlovejohana) June 15, 2025

Ryan Tedder has the luxury of being politically disengaged because the oppressive politics of this country don't affect him at all.

He's White, male, straight, cís, able bodied, and most importantly…he's RICH.

This country's systems were designed to benefit him. https://t.co/gbeXVvhjb5

— Rashad (@His_Majesty13) June 16, 2025

protesting is the most american thing you can do. its a "super bummer" ryan tedder thinks protesting the growing rise of fascism in america should just wait til later. https://t.co/d0Lva5ak4l

— ldr (@ldr1942501) June 15, 2025

The No Kings protests took place amid ongoing protests against ICE’s raids of several workplaces in Los Angeles over alleged immigration violations. In response to the protests, Trump authorised the deployment of the National Guard – which was allowed to carry out anti-protest operations over the following 60 days.

Singer Olivia Rodrigo took to social media over the weekend (June 14) to share a statement on the crisis, writing: “I’ve lived in LA my whole life, and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration.

“LA simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants,” she continued. “Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy, and due process is awful. I stand with the beautiful, diverse community of Los Angeles and with immigrants all across America. I stand for our right to freedom of speech and freedom to protest.” Shortly afterwards, she shared a photo of a crowd of protestors carrying signs that read “NO KINGS in our USA,” referencing the ‘No Kings’ protest movement.

Rodrigo is among many musicians speaking out against ICE. Earlier this month, Finneas claimed he had been tear-gassed by the National Guard at a “peaceful” protest in LA. “Fuck ICE,” he wrote on social media about the incident. Later, he added: “If you are into this fascist shit you are small and weak and will lose.”

Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello has attended a protest against ICE too, calling on people to “defend LA”. Elsewhere, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong expressed his support by telling ICE to “fuck off”.

Elsewhere, Shakira said that she lives in “constant fear” as an immigrant in the United States. Khaby Lame, the world’s biggest TikTok star, also reportedly fled the US after being detained by ICE earlier this week.

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