Former Mumford & Sons banjoist Winston Marshall stunned White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a briefing on Monday with an unexpected question about free speech.
The Grammy Award-winning musician asked if President Trump would consider granting asylum to British citizens facing prosecution for “hate speech” in the UK.
Marshall’s question left Leavitt visibly taken aback as she held her latest press briefing at the White House.
The musician, who departed from the British folk group in 2021, raised concerns about his compatriots facing legal consequences for their speech.
Marshall specifically highlighted what he described as a concerning situation in the UK regarding freedom of expression.
“Would the Trump administration consider asylum for British citizens in such a situation?” Marshall asked during the briefing.
He claimed that people in his home country faced “extensive prison sentences for tweets, social media posts and general free speech issues”.
The question came as part of a broader appeal regarding British citizens who have faced legal consequences for what Marshall characterised as “hate speech” prosecutions.
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Leavitt appeared visibly surprised by Marshall’s question during the briefing.
“I have not heard that proposed to the president nor have I spoken to him about that idea,” she responded.
Despite her initial surprise, Leavitt did not dismiss the concept outright.
She added that she “certainly can talk to our National Security team and see if it’s something the administration would entertain”.
Marshall, who now hosts his own podcast The Winston Marshall Show, appeared to be advocating for American intervention in what he perceives as free speech restrictions in Britain.
During his question to the press secretary, he claimed that the UK has had “over a quarter of a million people” issued with non-crime hate incidents.
The former Mumford & Sons star also claimed that there are “people in prison for quite literally reposting memes”.