What started as another round of commentary has spiralled into something far more volatile, with Roger Waters and Disturbed’s David Draiman now trading deeply personal shots in public.
The latest flashpoint comes after Draiman appeared on ‘The Magnificent Others With Billy Corgan’, where he didn’t hold back on his long-running criticism of the former Pink Floyd figure, Waters, who claims he had never heard of Draiman before, has since responded with a scathing open letter that’s only poured fuel on the fire (per The PRP).
Draiman doubles down on criticism
During the podcast, Corgan tried to steer the conversation toward nuance, framing Waters’ worldview through the lens of his past, Draiman wasn’t interested in softening the edges:
“That he would be hypersensitive to a scenario like that? I agree. But then why isn’t he hypersensitive to what’s going on in Iran. Why did he defend the Iranian Regime?… Here’s the thing, Billy: I grew up on Pink Floyd. I loved Pink Floyd. It was such a massive betrayal, not just to me, but Jews everywhere when he went in the direction that he did.”
He didn’t stop there, taking aim at Waters’ broader political stance.
“Roger has a penchant for dictators — the worst [motherf*ckers] on planet earth, Roger just cozies right up to them. He has no problem whatsoever.”
Even when pushed toward reconciliation, Draiman made it clear he wasn’t expecting one.
“I’d be willing to sit down and have a conversation with just about anybody — except someone that can no longer be reached. And I’m very, very convinced that Roger Waters can no longer be reached.”
Waters fires back with open letter
Waters’ response landed fast and hard, in an open letter addressed to Corgan, he didn’t just reject the idea of dialogue, he went straight for Draiman.
“He is a psychotic racist Nazi pig.”
The statement sits among a broader defence of his stance on global human rights, with Waters doubling down rather than walking anything back, the tone is unmistakably hostile, closing the door on any suggestion of a calm conversation.
No signs of backing down
Draiman responded shortly after, striking a noticeably calmer tone, at least on the surface (per The PRP).
“And here I was open to dialogue, even with someone I so deeply disagree with.
Honestly @rogerwaters, this is the reaction I unfortunately expected.
It’s disappointing, but predictable.
Be brave Roger.
Blessed are the peacemakers, right?
I’m always willing to try. We must all continue to try.
Even with you.”
For now, this isn’t cooling off. If anything, it’s hardening into another entrenched clash where neither side looks interested in stepping back.
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