2000's era nu-metal/nu-grunge band Trapt made headlines through much of 2020, not for music, but for frontman Chris Taylor Brown's Trump-loving, MAGA-supporting politics. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram suspended Trapt's accounts after Brown went on a pro-Proud Boys rant, and the band also played South Dakota superspreader event Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August. Before all that, Brown was picking fights with Power Trip and Ice-T, among others, via social media.

Drummer Michael Smith, who joined the band two years ago, has apparently had enough and announced he's parting ways with the group. Despite saying his time with Trapt has been "one of the best periods in my life the past couple years," Smith says in a statement. "There have been some ongoing issues (primarily political) throughout 2020 that many of you may know about, others may not. If you’re curious, it’s just a google search away."

"The stances taken, and publicity received as a result are not representative of myself," Smith says. "Not as an individual, nor fitting or aligned with my personal morals and beliefs. I do not agree with how certain things have been handled towards our fans and the music community who I have such an immense respect for."

You can read Michael Smith's full statement below.

 

After playing drums for Trapt for the past couple years, I have decided to step down from the band. This is definitely a bittersweet decision. There have been some ongoing issues (primarily political) throughout 2020 that many of you may know about, others may not. If you’re curious, it’s just a google search away. I respect everyone’s right to have an opinion on politics. But at the end of the day, I am a musician and my job is to play and create music. So that is what I plan on doing.

As I still communicate and have great relationships with the guys in the band, I will only speak for myself. The stances taken, and publicity received as a result are not representative of myself. Not as an individual, nor fitting or aligned with my personal morals and beliefs. I do not agree with how certain things have been handled towards our fans and the music community who I have such an immense respect for.

I would not be able to have a career in music and/or be fortunate enough to sustain my livelihood without the amazing support of everybody involved (from fans to venue staff, to musician peers, etc.) So thank you to those out there who have been a part of supporting and enabling me to use my gifts and talents, and allowing me to press forward in my musical journey.

It has been one of the best periods in my life the past couple years. But when it comes down to it, I do not agree with a lot of things morally and the publicity the band has received, mainly this past year in 2020…It is time for me to move on and pursue other avenues and projects.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported my musical journey thus far…