Jaime Bennington, son of the late Chester Bennington, has voiced strong disapproval over Linkin Park’s recent decision to replace his father with musician Emily Armstrong. In a pointed Instagram post, Jaime Bennington accused the band’s founder, Mike Shinoda, of “quietly erasing my father’s life and legacy in real time” by unveiling the new line-up last week.
Shinoda, acknowledging the controversy, has stated that he understands “many people will take time to wrap their heads around” the change, and he is “totally fine” with those who are not yet accepting it.
Jaime Bennington further criticized Armstrong’s recruitment, highlighting concerns about her past associations. He referenced accusations against Armstrong related to Scientology and her alleged support of actor Danny Masterson during his 2020 rape trial. Armstrong had previously distanced herself from Masterson, stating she had not been in contact with him since a preliminary hearing revealed “unimaginable details” of his crimes. Masterson was later found guilty.
In his Instagram statements, Jaime Bennington noted that fans were struggling with Armstrong’s inclusion and accused the band of ignoring the concerns of their diverse fan base. He claimed that the band’s actions represented a “betrayal of trust” and criticized them for failing to consult or inform him about their decision.
Bennington also shared his frustration with Shinoda, alleging that he had been blocked on social media and had not been notified about the band’s reunion. “They didn’t come to me with this announcement, they didn’t ask me how I felt, they didn’t offer me a ticket,” he said.
Armstrong, formerly the frontwoman of LA rock band Dead Sara, made her live debut with Linkin Park at a recent performance alongside new drummer Colin Brittain. The concert marked the band’s first new music release since Chester Bennington’s death by suicide in 2017, and was accompanied by news of a world tour.
Following Armstrong’s debut, she faced scrutiny over her past support for Masterson. Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala, whose wife was among Masterson’s accusers, publicly questioned Armstrong’s past affiliations.
In response, Armstrong issued a statement clarifying her position. She explained that her attendance at Masterson’s court appearance was a mistake and stated, “I have never spoken with him since.”
Linkin Park has not yet responded to the allegations made by Jaime Bennington. The lack of a formal statement from the band has been characterized by Bennington as disrespectful. He suggested that an apology and a reassessment of the situation might have been more appropriate. “Imagine if Mike Shinoda came out now and said, ‘You know what guys, I’m sorry. This was a little poorly planned. It didn’t go the way I wanted it to… But I do care about you and I do see how it impacts you and I apologise,'” he said. “But that’s not what’s happening.”
