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Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan defended his nearly 30-year friendship with Marilyn Manson in an appearance on The New York Times’ Popcast. Corgan said he personally did not believe Manson was guilty of the allegations he faced and cited the Los Angeles district attorney’s decision not to pursue a case; his comments are his assessment, not a legal finding about the allegations.
Billy Corgan defended his friendship with Marilyn Manson during an appearance on The New York Times’ Popcast, saying he personally did not believe Manson was guilty of the allegations against him. The Smashing Pumpkins frontman pointed to the Los Angeles district attorney’s decision not to pursue a sexual assault case, while stressing that he was not there to adjudicate the allegations.
Popcast co-host Jon Caramanica asked Corgan about maintaining a relationship with Manson amid sexual misconduct allegations against the singer. Consequence reported that the two had attended each other’s birthday parties in recent years. Corgan said his view rested on both his personal knowledge and the public handling of the case, which he said the Los Angeles district attorney’s office reviewed for five years before declining to pursue it.
“I personally didn’t feel that he was guilty of the things he was being charged with,” Corgan said. He also described friendship as a personal commitment, saying that being a friend did not mean he lacked opinions or would not be critical. He said he was not claiming to have witnessed everything or to be able to decide the allegations.
Corgan cited ties beyond his own friendship: Manson’s wife, Lindsay, has a twin sister, Ashley, who is married to Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha. He said that connection, along with knowing Manson’s parents, made Manson part of a wider family circle. Corgan added that if Manson—or anyone facing such allegations—were guilty, that person should go to jail.
Corgan’s Public Defense of the Friendship
Corgan’s remarks explain why he has continued a high-profile friendship with Manson despite serious allegations, and put the basis for his decision on the record. His comments also illustrate the distinction between personal loyalty and a legal determination: Corgan described his own judgment, while acknowledging he could not know everything that happened.
The district attorney’s decision not to pursue a case is part of the public record as described in the report, but it is not the same as a court finding that the allegations were false or that Manson was found not guilty. Corgan’s defense should be understood as his stated view, not as an independent resolution of the allegations.
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A Friendship Spanning Three Decades
Corgan said his relationship with Manson goes back nearly 30 years. The two had a falling out lasting about 15 years after Manson was upset by a letter Corgan wrote warning him about his relationship with actress Rose McGowan, according to the report. They reconciled in December 2014, when Manson joined the Pumpkins onstage at a London concert.
The interview comes as both musicians remain active on the road. The Smashing Pumpkins are touring North America with the “Rats in a Cage” shows marking 30 years since Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Manson is touring in support of One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2, according to Consequence.
““I personally didn’t feel that he was guilty of the things he was being charged with.””
— Billy Corgan, speaking on The New York Times’ Popcast
Limits of Corgan’s Account
The source report does not detail the full allegations, the evidence reviewed by prosecutors, or the reasons the Los Angeles district attorney’s office declined to pursue the case. Corgan referred to private information and people involved but did not disclose those details in the account provided. It is also unclear from the report whether any other legal matters or proceedings are ongoing.
Corgan’s statements do not independently establish what occurred. The status and resolution of each allegation should not be inferred from his personal view or from the reported decision not to bring a case.
Touring Continues as Comments Circulate
The Popcast appearance is the immediate development; the source report does not identify a follow-up statement or a scheduled legal milestone. The Smashing Pumpkins and Manson have tour dates and appearances described in the report, but those plans do not resolve questions about the allegations or Corgan’s account.
Any further clarification would depend on statements from Corgan, Manson, the accusers, or relevant authorities. Until then, the confirmed development is Corgan’s public explanation of his friendship and his stated personal assessment.
Key Questions
What did Billy Corgan say about Marilyn Manson?
Corgan said he personally did not believe Manson was guilty of the allegations against him. He said his view drew on personal knowledge and the public handling of the case, while adding that he was not there to adjudicate it.
Why does Corgan say he remains friends with Manson?
He described a friendship spanning nearly 30 years and cited family ties: Manson’s sister-in-law is married to Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha. Corgan also said he knew Manson’s parents.
What happened with the Los Angeles case?
According to the source report, the Los Angeles district attorney’s office reviewed a sexual assault case against Manson for five years and did not pursue it. The report does not provide the office’s reasoning, and that decision should not be presented as a court verdict.
Did Corgan say he would excuse Manson if he were guilty?
No. Corgan said that if Manson, or anyone in a similar situation, were guilty, that person should go to jail. He also acknowledged that he could not have been present for everything.
What remains unknown about the allegations?
The source report does not lay out the full allegations, the evidence reviewed by prosecutors, or the reasons the case was not pursued. Corgan also did not disclose the private information he said informed his view.
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