Pussy Riot might have left behind a domineering Russian government, but the punk collective still foresees a less-than-favorable future on American soil, should Donald Trump win the presidential election next month. The group’s leader and remaining controversy-courting member, Nadya Tolokonnikova, has just released a video for her song “Make America Great Again,” in which she suffers cruel and unjust punishments for anyone who doesn’t fit “President Trump’s” (please let that be the last time anyone types that) idea of the right American citizen.
The amber waves of grain are now flaxen-haired wigs on stormtrooper cops and even Tolokonnikova, who writhes around an ivory-tusked Oval Office that’s surprisingly short on Nazi imagery (just kidding). Tolokonnikova shows her typical restraint in envisioning a nightmarish nation under Trump, where immigrants, LGBT members, and pro-choice advocates are viciously branded and even killed. Sure, it’s like having a couple of anvils dropped on your head, but there are plenty of people who haven’t picked up on more subtle gestures.
“Make America Great Again” was produced and co-written by Ricky Reed, who’s worked with Meghan Trainor and D.R.A.M.; he also crafted Phantogram’s “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore.” Reed’s label Nice Life Recording Company will also put out Pussy Riot’s upcoming album, xxx.