Imagine Dragons’ political statement in Milan: waving Palestinian flag sparks controversy

Imagine Dragons is all everyone is talking about after their frontman, Dan Reynolds, waved a Palestinian flag on stage during their concert in Milan, Italy, on May 27, 2025.

Video clips of Reynolds draping the flag over his shoulders and kissing it went viral, accumulating millions of views and generating mixed reactions worldwide.

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Fans react to Imagine Dragons’ political gesture

While waving a flag may seem something inoffensive, for some it was a powerful gesture. Many fans have praised Reynolds for his support and taking a political stand.

However, many pro-Israel commentators expressed their disagreement and outrage, accusing them of solidarity with terrorists, calling the act "disgusting".

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Imagine Dragons' past controversial performances

This is not the first time the band has been in the middle of a controversy. They have faced scrutiny before in 2023, when they decided to perform in Israel, prior to the October 7 Hamas attack. Reynolds later defended their decision to perform in Tel Aviv in an interview in 2024, saying he did not feel right punishing fans for decisions of their leaders.

They've been known for their progressive stances, specially with the LGBTQ+ community. During the Milan show, they also waved the Ukrainian flag.