Jaime Bennington, the son of the late Chester Bennington, the former lead singer of Linkin Park, has publicly expressed his disapproval over the band’s decision to replace his father with musician Emily Armstrong. Jaime took to Instagram to voice his concerns, accusing the band’s co-founder, Mike Shinoda, of erasing his father’s legacy with the introduction of their new line-up.

Shinoda acknowledged that the band’s recent changes might be challenging for many fans to accept, stating that he understands if people need time to process the shift. He added that he is open to those who are still struggling with the change.

In his Instagram post, Jaime not only criticized the new line-up but also referenced controversies surrounding Armstrong. He pointed out that Armstrong had previously been connected to Scientology and had shown support for actor Danny Masterson during his 2020 rape trial. Although Armstrong has since distanced herself from Masterson—who was later convicted and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison—Jaime highlighted that these associations have troubled fans.

Jaime Bennington expressed frustration that the band had not adequately addressed the concerns raised by their diverse fan base regarding Armstrong. He accused them of betraying the trust of their followers and failing to engage with the community about these issues.

In a series of video posts, Jaime further claimed that Shinoda had blocked him on social media and did not inform him about the band’s reunion plans. He said, “They didn’t come to me with this announcement, they didn’t ask me how I felt, they didn’t offer me a ticket.” Armstrong, previously known for her role as the frontwoman of the 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 return with their first new music since Chester Bennington’s tragic death by suicide in 2017, as well as an announcement of an upcoming world tour.

Almost immediately following the announcement, Armstrong faced scrutiny over her previous associations. Mars Volta singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala took to Instagram to question Armstrong’s past support for Masterson, whose conviction has been a point of contention for many. Bixler-Zavala’s wife, Chrissie Carnell-Bixler, was among those who accused Masterson of sexual assault. Though Masterson was acquitted of some charges, his conviction on other rape charges has been widely publicized.

In response to the backlash, Armstrong issued a statement clarifying her past involvement. She explained that she had attended an early court hearing as an observer, but upon realizing her mistake, decided to cut ties with Masterson. Armstrong emphasized that she had not spoken to him since and regretted her previous misjudgment.

Linkin Park has yet to comment on the allegations or the criticisms from Jaime Bennington. Jaime criticized this lack of response as disrespectful, suggesting that an official apology or acknowledgment from Shinoda would be appropriate. He proposed that Shinoda could address the situation by apologizing for the planning of the new line-up and considering the impact on fans. “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 apologize,’” Jaime said. “But that’s not what’s happening. He doesn’t care to give an official statement about the impact of hiring someone like Emily.”

Jaime’s criticisms underscore the ongoing challenges and sensitivities surrounding the band’s transition after Chester Bennington’s death.