Entertainment

Updated (Story Pulled): U2 Singer Bono Grilled on Camera Over Band’s Move to Avoid Taxes

Editor’s note: The original Breitbart.com story has been removed and the Jason Mattera videos have now been moved to “private” on YouTube.  There is widespread discussion on Twitter that the person Mattera interviewed in the videos may have been a Bono impersonator.

 

U2 singer Bono is known for his antipoverty activism, which includes calls on most world governments to spend more on foreign aid. Yet when it comes to the finances of Bono’s own company, he’s apparently a bit more of a Scrooge. Moreover, he’s loath to admit it, as an interview with author Jason Mattera caught on tape showed. You can watch the video and read the transcript of some select excerpts provided by Breitbart.com below:

Mattera: By dodging taxes on royalties are you raiding the poverty programs you purport to champion?

Bono: No.

Mattera: No? Don’t you want governments to be generous with other people’s money and not yours?

Bono: I don’t have control over that…

Mattera: How do you not have control over that? It’s your company. Are you not in charge of your own company?

Bono: It’s not my company.

Mattera: You have no say in what U2 does?

Bono: Not particularly.

Mattera: You don’t? You don’t have a say in what U2 does?

Bono: No.

Mattera: You’re the front man of your band, which has made you hundreds of millions of dollars … you have no idea why it moved from Ireland to Holland?

Bono: I don’t have that answer.

Mattera: It wasn’t take advantage of a much lower tax rate?

Bono: I don’t have that answer.

Mattera: You are seriously going to say that you don’t have that answer?

Bono: I don’t have that answer.

Mattera has been referred to as “DC’s Bad Boy Reporter,” and criticized in some quarters for his tactics. However, few have disputed his ability to get embarrassing excerpts out of those he interviews. This series of videos certainly does nothing to dispel that perception.

Comments (156)

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  • Grasshopper42
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:53pm

    Always hated U2′s music. Think I’ll jam out to some Kansas or Boston . . .

    Report Post » Grasshopper42  
    • SpeckledPup
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:09pm

      obamacommunism……. it’s just Dust in The Wind…

      Report Post »  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:15pm

      You just can’t make this stuff up. So now there’s Bono, Bruce Springsteen, and Jon Bon Jovi all dodging taxes while railing against the government for not spending wnough money on social welfare programs. Awesome! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MfgeFnOZbI

      Report Post » lovenfl3  
    • EndTheFedNOW
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:19pm

      Bono is a globalist swine.

      Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
    • copatriots
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:30pm

      How do you spell Bono…….H-Y-P-O-C-R-I-T-E

      Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:45pm

      ****….just watched the vid……that doesn’t even look like Bono. What a scam!

      Report Post »  
    • Calamity Jane
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:58pm

      This puts me in the mood for some Texas Blues…..Maybe some Ray Wylie Hubbard……”Screw You! We’re from Texas”

      Report Post »  
    • Ivehadenoughtofthisgovenmentcrap
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:09pm

      I’m in agreement with you brother…..I think I’ll listen to Kansas as well…..Song for America !!!

      Report Post » Ivehadenoughtofthisgovenmentcrap  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:26pm

      He is looking for that place where The streets have no names

      Report Post » USAMEDIC3008  
    • snooop1e
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:58pm

      A very revealing look inside the mind of a Liberal. First he denies any knowledge at all, then when it’s clear that he has knowledge he denies any involvement and tries to play the victim, then when it is finally very clear that he has no way out and he can’t hide the truth he talks about love and peace. Liberals sin-cerely believe in giving money to the poor, your money, my money, everyone’s money, just not their money.

      Report Post » snooop1e  
    • KevINtampa
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:58pm

      I gotta side with some other posters here. Didn’t really look like Bonehead. This easily could be the guy who plays Bono in a U2 tribute band or something. Even when he struggled with explaining the IMF, I’ve gotta think he would have been way more informed.

      There is another way to look at this though. It may have been *****; he just may have been chewing on a few hits of acid during the interview and stoned out of his mind.

      Either way, if it was the real Bono or not, the U2 tax shelter deal is hypocritical. He’s completely okay with putting my children deeper into debt, and argues passionately for my country to do that to them, I wish that passion was real and he told his accountants to let the Irish tax his money or he’ll be going solo from here on out.

      To his credit though, the IMF is raping the Irish people. But what gave the IMF the leverage to do so? Frivolous government spending, that didn’t even benefit the Irish people! Bono, you support a cause, ASK AN ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DONATE TO IT. Being a propaganda piece for big government is only making dependency on government “cool”.

      I still haven‘t found what I’m looking for, and it’s the 28% the government took from my pay checks last year.

      Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 10:35am

      Well I ‘m not surprized! When Troy Aikman signed with Dallas he put his 50 Million in a charitable foundation. Tom Hanks – all the big buck stars do the same. Nascar race car drivers. Now it looks like the bands figured it out. Of the 4 guess who is the slowest.Troy’s kids foundation does some good, but when he bought his 3 millionn dollar home it was paid with foundation funds and payed no taxes.All the Nascar race cr drivers have been doing the same thing as long as they have been on a race car team. Last Yeatr Tony Stewart made over 13 million – taxes paid 0. Quarterbacks today make 90 million for 5 years contracts- taxes they pay are 0. All this and we wonder why we are aproching a16 trillion buck debt. Warren Buffet is squaking not paying enough but owes 2 billion in back taxes. The Rev.Sharpton says the rich need to pay more butowes 1.2 million.

      Report Post »  
    • 4truth2all
      Posted on March 22, 2012 at 9:34am

      Yo Copatriots:

      I agree … that is not Bono, doesn’t even act like him. He is a pretty well spoken guy.

      Report Post »  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on March 23, 2012 at 6:38pm

      “Do as I say, but not as I do” IS the motto of the liberal progressive AND some Republicans. Anyone who wants to run to another country because the taxes are high, is just fine with me. But, sooner or later, that government will figure out that NO ONE WANTS TO STAY IN A COUNTRY WITH HIGH TAXES! The USA is heading that way. Britain already has it.

      I REALLY WISH WE HAD A FLAT OR FAIR TAX. We could clear up our deficit in about 3 to 5 years.

      U2? Who is that?

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
    • bitter.clinger
      Posted on March 24, 2012 at 10:37am

      Bono can be a Douche…but this dude is definitely a Douche Impersonator…he’s about as Bono as Elmer Fudd. Jason Mattera is clearly trying to be the Borat of 2012.

      Report Post »  
  • wordsworth
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:52pm

    Are they sure that’s Bono?

    Looks and sounds more like a double. The accent is off, and the face is younger, and slighter.

    Report Post »  
    • kcm285
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:18pm

      I have been a fan of Bono and U2 since 82 and that doesn’t sound like his accent at all i know his voice in my sleep lol. I agree that he is a hypocrite about sheltering the band from ireland’s taxes while pushing for everyone elses tax dollars

      Report Post » kcm285  
    • Alucard
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 2:02pm

      Its looking like a fake Bono. I give Mattera credit for the Biden and Chris Rock questions, but you better make sure the person you‘re talking to is the actual person otherwise you just look foolish even if what you’re saying is true. Thats probably why the guy was so light hearted about it all because he fooled someone into actually thinking he was Bono. LOL.

      Report Post »  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 3:10pm

      That was NOT Bono. I love U2, but BoneHead is just a hypocritical amadan.

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • Luv2GoFly
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 4:51pm

      Dude, you are correct, that is definitely NOT Bono! The dude did not even look or sound like Bono, didn’t even pretend to have an Irish accent! The joke’s on Mattera in this one…

      Report Post » Luv2GoFly  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:52pm

    It’s always about other peoples money with these libturds…..not their own !!!

    Report Post »  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:59pm

      time to start calling a spade a spade……………socialist-communist

      Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:25pm

      Isn’t this the guy that said Americans look at a big house and say, “Someday, I want to live there.” while the Irish look at the same house and say, “Someday I’m going to get that B@st@rd.”

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 11:48pm

      I am reading Jason’s book .. .and making a list of people I will not support … no movies, no music .. .they can kiss my ____ ! I highly recomend the book .. these people are the BIGGEST HYPOCRITES .. they don’t mind spending OUR MONEY .. but don’t want to spend theirs!

      Report Post »  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:50pm

    Bono has learned rule #1 in politics when testifying…. I do not recall.
    Well, the next time I go out to buy some music I will “not recall” any of U2′s music.
    Bono who? U2 who? Sorry, I do not recall that band. The Whopper said, “How about a nice game of Chess?
    I say, “How about a nice tune from Hariprasad Chaurasia”? Raga Shiv Ranjani.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-AQHfy6uMg&feature=artist

    Report Post » The-Monk  
  • marcus_arealius
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:48pm

    One note *****.. Try singing a Bach cantata or choral you dope. Too baroque ? OK try some Tony Bennett, Al jarreau. Singer my arse, like most of these phony so called ‘artists’.

    Report Post »  
  • canthaveitall
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:39pm

    this guy is a little too full of himself. amazing what big heads and egos they get as they get famous. and their music isn;t all that great either, they have a few good songs.

    Report Post »  
  • Laus Deo
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:37pm

    South Park nailed it with their episode on bono.

    Report Post » Laus Deo  
  • Misha
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:36pm

    Seriously – big deal. The guy’s not an American and where or how much he pays in taxes makes no difference to me. There are far far bigger fish to fry.

    Report Post »  
  • Bwbarrnone
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:34pm

    Ha Ha Ha

    So over these “Sherif’s of Nottingham”, these Jesters that protect them, and all the justifications they have to continue to live the way they deem is wrong.

    Report Post » Bwbarrnone  
  • ULYSSESG
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:32pm

    ***** is = to Biden, just another L_I_B_T_A_R_D pile of crap talks out thy NECK……. Hey dude sheeple might like your music….you and your LITTLE IRISH “TWITTS” are not relevant A_H_O_L_E
    P_I_SS OFF

    Report Post » ULYSSESG  
  • KingCanon
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:29pm

    This just demonstrates the TOTAL HYPOCRISY of LIBERALISM!
    After all LIBERALISM, SIMPLY AND SINCERELY, IS DEMONISM!
    Everyday LIBERALS prove it in a devilish manner!

    Until we, those of us with morals, refuse to support these DEMONS THEY will prevail.

    Report Post » KingCanon  
    • WIDTAP
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 3:53pm

      There is no Democratic Party in Ireland.

      Report Post »  
  • thegodfather
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:27pm

    Bono is pro taxes…as long as it’s not HIM paying the taxes

    Report Post » thegodfather  
    • GOP_DEMONS
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 4:12pm

      How do you know he doesn’t want to pay taxes? You idiots must feel so accomplished that you have a place where you can spew your stupidity and have others validate your swelling egos.

      Report Post »  
  • korbin
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:25pm

    Do as I say not as I do……… t‘s my money therefore it’s none of your business touche tax dodger your right. I have hated U2 since I read the lyrics of a song I would say anti American and of course they made 99% of all of their money off Americans, not me. I live in Joshua Tree Commufornia, when they came here had the opportunity to meet them, no thanks would much rather meet Kirk Cameron or Clint Walker ( Cheyenne Bodie ) for you youngsters. Join oathekeepers.org

    Report Post »  
  • godhatesacoward
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:24pm

    Typical liberal (socialist) douche bag.

    Report Post » godhatesacoward  
  • mensaman62
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:22pm

    Jason…go Breitbart on all of them! GOOD JOB! Call them all out!

    Report Post » mensaman62  
  • rock60
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:22pm

    He’s just like the rest of them,it’s perfectly fine to spend our money. As far as U2 goes this dude knows were every penny is.This guy has complete control of everything U2. Give me a break.

    Report Post » rock60  
  • selloursouls
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:22pm

    Hey Blaze his name is Jason Mattera not Joseph, just a friendly fyi.

    Report Post » selloursouls  
  • ed0315
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:21pm

    I love the Kool-Aid crowd on Youtube commenting about this……that’s not Bono man……..

    Report Post » ed0315  
    • kcm285
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:20pm

      Agreed that is not Bono

      Report Post » kcm285  
    • Treasure Hunter
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:55pm

      You’re ABSOLUTELY right. That is NOT Bono! I was present for an hour-long interview Bill Hybels (Willow Creek) had with Bono several years ago. Unless Bono has purposefully changed his voice and mannerism, I can say very assuredly that this man is NOT Bono.

      Report Post »  
    • cojack91
      Posted on March 21, 2012 at 12:09am

      100% completely not Bono. The Blaze looks stupid for posting this and should pull it immediately.

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:19pm

    So the “tax the rich” OWS and Obama share the wealth idea has moved down the food chain to musicians? The lefty movie stars should start crapping their pants soon…

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:18pm

    Just because Bono lives “Where the streets have no names”, they just can’t mail him a tax bill.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:18pm

    Mattera has been referred to as “DC’s Bad Boy Reporter,” and criticized in some quarters for his tactics. However, few have disputed his ability to get embarrassing excerpts out of those he interviews. This series of videos certainly does nothing to dispel that perception.——–What happened to hating “gotcha journalism”?

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:44pm

      It doesn’t apply to pretentious turds with sunglasses being interviewed. Poor poor *****. No idea why he didn’t want taxes paid into the country that made him filthy rich. Duh, I don’t have an answer for that. Baaah, Baah. So being a lemming is soo much cooler that a sheep huh? I poop in your general direction and label it art for your enjoyment.

      Report Post »  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:28pm

      Insults usually aren’t that funny. Gratz!

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
  • bikerdogred1
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:16pm

    He is a democrat,so it’s OK to steal.

    Report Post »  
    • SHOWMESTATEGUY
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:24pm

      He’s a liberal!!!! Democrat or whatever other party we could name. Liberals want YOU to DO what they want. What they want, and say, does not equal what they want for themselves. You see, liberals consider themselves special. All a liberal has to do is talk the talk, then they feel they have completed their civic duty.

      I guess we all should just spout the liberal line, then do what’s best for ourselves.

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:16pm

    I had Jason on my show yesterday and he’ll be on tomorrow; and on each time he releases another video of him rightfully embarrassing any Hollywood lib. Good for that guy! Keep it up, Mattera!

    Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:31pm

      Will you have a podcast? I get no AM reception where I work, the building is sort of a Vault.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • TRONINTHEMORNING
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:37pm

      Perhaps in time we will; just got our HD RADIO back and possibly an FM translator this summer. We are on the net but kinda hard when the computer is not portable, right?

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:43pm

      Our I.T. folks don’t like streaming, they kind of block those things out. Although I get phone reception and FM. I still catch you when I can. By the way, my wife is starting to like your station, Peter Gunn kind of took her back to our Band days today, a marching band staple.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:24pm

      Way to Go Jason!!!
      Loved your book Obama Zombies—Loaned it to a friend and never got it back
      Hope to get your new book soon
      KEEP UP the good work!!!!!!!!

      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
  • Pontiac
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:14pm

    Tax dodging Tax lover.

    Report Post » Pontiac  
    • SHOWMESTATEGUY
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:41pm

      You got it. Liberals in a nut shell.

      Report Post »  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:59pm

      Wisdom from Mr Burns:
      Ah Monday Morning. Time to pay for your two days of debauchery, you hungover drones.

      Look at them Smithers. Goldbrickers….layabouts…slug-a-beds! Little do they realize their days of suckling at my teat are numbered?

      What good is money if it can’t inspire terror in your fellow man?

      Wel, that’s odd…I’ve just robbed a man of his livelihood, and yet I feel strangely empty. Tell you what, Smithers – have him beaten to a pulp.
      Words of Wisdom from Bono:
      Religion can be the enemy of God. It’s often what happens when God, like Elvis, has left the building.
      It’s a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma.
      It’s clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the universe. I’m absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that “as you reap, so you will sow” stuff.

      I’ve got you babe….(wrong Bono, dang)

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • copatriots
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:36pm

      Well done once again, DARM!

      Report Post »  
  • Mateytwo Barreett
    Posted on March 20, 2012 at 9:09pm

    Ah! Bono! another thespian turned political hackass. The move wasn’t done to save a boatload on taxes- it was done to allow us to have more disposable income- so I can jet around the world, expounding on the state of the impoverished! Quite! Donchusee, my good fellow? My act of legal tax fraud is the only way I can continue my “presence and there for the increased wealth – or the ability to jet around- – - – - – - – -

    Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
    • vic138
      Posted on March 20, 2012 at 10:38pm

      This is an old story, at least one year old. In that time Bono has done nothing to determine what’s going on? Are we to believe this?, and yet also hold him up as the champion of the poor?

      He’s a fool, only using his charity as a way to be cool, just like those ‘oh so hip’ skull caps he wears or paris hilton’s little chihuahua…

      Report Post » vic138  
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