Jaime Bennington, son of the late Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington, has publicly slammed the band for appointing Emily Armstrong as the new lead vocalist.
In a series of social media posts, Jaime accused Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda of “betraying the trust” of fans and erasing Chester’s legacy.
Jaime’s criticisms came after Armstrong’s recent debut with the band, alongside the release of their new single, The Emptiness Machine.
In his Instagram Stories, Jaime voiced concerns about Armstrong’s past associations, particularly her connections to the Church of Scientology and her support for Danny Masterson, who was convicted of rape in 2023.
He posted, “You quietly erase[d] my father’s life and legacy in real time… during international suicide prevention month and refuse to acknowledge the impact of hiring someone like Emily, without so much as a clarifying statement on the variety of victims that make up your core fan base.
He further blasted Shinoda, “You betrayed the trust loaned to you by decades of fans and supporting human beings including myself. We trusted you to be the bigger, better person.”
“To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention.”
“Now you’re just senile and tone deaf.”
Armstrong had attended a preliminary hearing in support of Masterson, which has raised concerns among fans, especially given Chester Bennington’s openness about surviving sexual abuse.
In response to the backlash, Armstrong issued a statement to address the controversy.
She posted on Instagram, “Several years ago, I was asked to support someone I considered a friend at a court appearance and went to one early hearing as an observer.”
“Soon after, I realized I shouldn’t have. I have never spoken with him since. To say it as clearly as possible: I do not condone abuse or violence against women, and I empathize with the victims of these crimes.”
Despite the controversy, Linkin Park is moving forward with Armstrong as their new lead vocalist.
The band is set to release a new album, From Zero, on November 15, and will embark on a six-date arena tour.
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