Folk legend Joan Baez used her appearance on Wednesday’s season premiere of the new Netflix series “Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney” to deliver an unfiltered critique of American politics, calling out the nation’s leadership.
“OK, so we’re all here to be silly and have fun,” Ms. Baez said after getting reassurance from the comedian host that she could speak her mind. “And as long as we recognize the fact that our democracy is going up in flames … we’re being run by a bunch of really incompetent billionaires.”
The audience erupted in applause before Ms. Baez added, “That being said, ask me anything you want.”
Though she avoided naming names, her comments appeared directed at President Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency is overseeing federal spending cuts.
Mr. Mulaney later joked about Ms. Baez owning a Tesla, prompting her to reveal she briefly drove one at her assistant’s suggestion — though it didn’t end well.
“I hated that thing, but I thought I was supposed to like it,” Ms. Baez said. “So I drove off in it. Within 45 minutes I had smashed it into an oak tree on my property. … I was thinking, ‘That’s a sign.’”
During the 2024 election, Ms. Baez was vocal in her support of Democrat Kamala Harris. The folk singer even altered the lyrics in a pro-Harris video performance of “America the Beautiful,” replacing the refrain “Crown thy good with brotherhood” with “Crown thy good with sisterhood.”
