Is Donald Trump the "political Sex Pistol"?
Original Sex Pistol and serial provocateur John "Johnny Rotten" Lydon floated that analysis on British TV when discussing a bit of a celebrity bromance with the American president.
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Johnny Rotten calls Trump a 'friend'
Appearing on Good Morning Britain the former Sex Pistols frontman likens US President Donald Trump's leadership style to the anarchist roots of his former band.
Lydon, who perhaps not coincidentally has a book to promote – a collection of his lyrics and illustrations – was appearing on a morning TV show co-hosted by another unlikely buddy in former tabloid editor and failed US TV host, Piers Morgan.
What appealed to Lydon about Trump was the way he was riling the establishment, from politicians to the media – two frequent targets of Lydon since the first summer of punk in 1976 – and the possibility that something good might come from that.
"He terrifies politicians and this is a joy to behold to me," Lydon said, calling Trump "dare, I say it, a possible friend."
Lydon did add, with a laugh, "think of the rows we could have", but didn't resile from his more nuanced view of the magnet for political mayhem.
While describing the "complicated" Trump as a man with more than a few issues in his personality, the dual British and American citizen in checked suit and tie who was incongruously introduced as "the king of punk", was not having one of the criticisms laid at the feet of the president.
"What I dislike is the left-wing media in America are trying to smear the bloke as a racist and that's completely not true," Lydon said, "There are many, many problems with him as a human being but he's not that."
Speaking of accusations of racism, Lydon, who has lived in California for decades, said he had wanted to shake the hand of Nigel Farage of the UK Independence Party after the politician's encounter with another former punk, Bob Geldof, on the Thames during the Brexit referendum.
While this may say as much about the long, prickly relationship Lydon has had with the former singer of the Boomtown Rats who helped create Live Aid as any views held on Farage, Lydon did address Brexit.
"The working class have spoke and I'm one of them and I'm with them," he said with a raised fist of solidarity.
If the mixed views on Trump, the amused reaction to Farage and his recent about-face on Queen Elizabeth II herself seem a surprise, they probably shouldn't.
Equal parts thoughtful and deliberately provocative, Lydon is also the man who advertised butter and appeared on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here while never losing his disdain for politicians, earnestness in pop and the media.
And he has a new book out.