Andy Ngo speaks out on Mumford & Sons musician's 'break': 'If you challenge the reigning orthodoxy, you will be made to suffer'



Journalist Andy Ngo has hit out at critics who ultimately prompted Mumford & Sons banjoist and lead guitarist Winston Marshall to take a break from the Grammy award-winning band.

Marshall announced this week that he was going on hiatus after critics blasted him for supporting Ngo's new book, "Unmasked."

Of the book, Ngo has said its intention is to take its reader "inside ANTIFA's radical plan to destroy democracy."

What are the details?

According to a Thursday report from the Post Millennial, Ngo appeared on Fox News to discuss the fallout from Marshall supporting his book and how it ties into the book's message.

During his appearance, Ngo said, "I know this is being covered a lot as the latest example of cancel culture, but I don't think that term fully encapsulates what's going on. We're dealing with a phenomenon of people who have powerful ties, who are working to systematically close minds and to silence voices. And they're doing this entirely without throwing a punch, without any legislative change.

"That's what makes it quite shocking, and subtle and insidious," he insisted. "I write in my book about how much of what Antifa does is entirely non-violent, but it doesn't make it not dangerous."

Ngo also noted that Marshall has been unfairly forced to suffer "very severe consequences" for what he said was a harmless tweet about liking a book.

"I think all of these campaigns work to undermine American norms, and to undermine civil society," he explained. "This musician has been made to suffer very severe consequences for a pretty innocuous tweet about enjoying my book, apparently. And I think the message is very clear: If you challenge the reigning orthodoxy, you will be made to suffer. And particularly, if you're in a vulnerable profession, such as entertainment or culture, you will stand to lose, potentially, everything."

Ngo on Thursday morning tweeted a clip from his appearance, writing, "Last weekend, Winston Marshall, a musician in Mumford & Sons, expressed support for my book, 'Umasked,' in a 15-word tweet. 72 hours later, he had to issue an apology & announced he's taking time away from the band. I went on @FoxNews to give my response."

Last weekend, Winston Marshall, a musician in Mumford & Sons, expressed support for my book, "Unmasked," in a 15-wo… https://t.co/CLvQGC6oot
— Andy Ngô (@Andy Ngô)1615477787.0

Mumford & Sons banjoist Winston Marshall 'taking time away' from the band after praising Andy Ngo's book



Winston Marshall, the banjoist and lead guitarist for Mumford & Sons, announced on Twitter that he's "taking time away" from the Grammy award-winning band in order to "examine" his "blindspots" after congratulating journalist Andy Ngo on his new book, "Unmasked."

Social media came out in full force against Marshall after his remarks to Ngo, with many people suggesting the musician should be canceled for being a "Nazi."

What are the details?

Marshall tweeted Tuesday night that he is taking a break from the band.

He wrote, "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 some time away from the band to examine my blindspots."

"For now, please know that I realize how my endorsements have the potential to be viewed as approvals of hateful, divisive behavior," the tweet added. "I apologize, as this was not at all my intention."

https://t.co/x9yddYc0g9
— Winston Marshall (@Winston Marshall)1615344824.0

In a since-deleted tweet, Marshall praised Ngo for what he said was a courageous book. Ngo said the book's intent was to take its reader "inside ANTIFA's radical plan to destroy democracy."

"Finally had the time to read your important book," Marshall wrote at the time. "You're a brave man."

He deleted the tweet, according to the outlet, after being subject to backlash and "intense mockery" of the band.

What else?

The band took flak in 2018 after inviting author and clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson to visit their London-based studios. A photo of Peterson and the band quickly went viral, sparking anger from across the far reaches of social media.

At the time, Marshall responded, "I don't think that having a photograph with someone means you agree with everything they say. Primarily I'm interested in his psychological stuff, which I find very interesting."