American author and musician Henry Rollins is well-known for his candid opinions on society and politics. He mentions Paul Ryan, a well-known Republican politician in the US, in this quotation. Ryan admitted to being a fan of Rage Against The Machine, a band known for its criticism of the establishment and political left-leaning views.

As Rollins notes, Ryan effectively exposed himself to criticism from the band's fans by acknowledging his admiration for such a significant group. In fact, he even faced direct criticism from guitarist Tom Morello, one of the band's members. This circumstance is comparable to someone who cheers for a sports team abruptly switching to the other side; it frequently causes quick and severe negative reactions.

The quotation emphasizes how public personalities may encounter strong opposition when their personal preferences conflict with accepted beliefs or standards. The ability of social media and online communities to swiftly unite against people they believe to be hypocritical or out of touch is also highlighted.