Billy Corgan, lead singer of Smashing Pumpkins, has reaffirmed his longstanding friendship with Marilyn Manson despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic violence against the musician. Speaking on the New York Times’ ‘Popcast’ podcast, Corgan stated he personally did not believe Manson was guilty of the accusations, noting that the Los Angeles District Attorney had declined to prosecute due to expired statutes of limitations. Corgan emphasized that he does not allow external pressures to dictate his personal relationships, saying, ‘I don’t want the world to tell me who my friends are.’ He explained that their friendship spans nearly 30 years, with Manson being connected to his band through family ties—Manson’s wife is the twin sister of Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha’s wife. Corgan acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, including those made by actress Evan Rachel Wood in 2021, which led to Manson being dropped by his record label and management. However, he maintained that he knew the ‘inside baseball’ of the case and had evaluated it personally. Corgan also referenced Manson’s 2022 defamation lawsuit against Wood, which was dropped in 2024 with Manson ordered to pay her legal fees. The musician further criticized what he called ‘a witch mob’ mentality surrounding the allegations, stressing that if Manson were guilty, he should face legal consequences. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s 2025 decision not to prosecute Manson over sexual assault and domestic violence allegations followed a 2018 decision by the same office to decline prosecution due to statute of limitations. Corgan’s comments reflect his personal stance on maintaining relationships despite public controversy, highlighting the complexity of personal loyalty versus public accountability in the entertainment industry.