Marilyn Manson‘s 2025 cover of Phil Collins‘ 3x multi-platinum 1981 hit single “In The Air Tonight” soundtracks a newly released commercial for the 2026 Dodge Charger. Given the lingering controversy surrounding Manson and the numerous sexual assault allegations and lawsuits he has faced over the past five years, this soundtrack choice could prove to be a divisive move.
In 2023, Manson settled sexual assault lawsuits brought against him by Esmé Bianco and a Jane Doe. A separate case brought against him by Ashley Morgan Smithline was later recanted and dropped. As of press time, two more sexual assault-related lawsuits remain in play against Manson, one based on allegations dating back to the 1990s, and another recently revived case filed by his ex-personal assistant Ashley Walters.
Manson has continued to deny the allegations against him. He initially filed a defamation suit against his ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood back in 2022, after alleging that she was involved in orchestrating the above-mentioned wave of allegations made against him. Wood herself came forward with allegations of abuse against Manson back in 2021, with over a dozen women following with similar claims. Manson suffered several legal setbacks with that defamation suit and went on to drop it in 2024.
While the LADA’s Sex Crimes Division pursued a four-year investigation into the claims made against Manson, a statement made in January 2025 by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman revealed they would not be pursuing charges against the shock rocker, with Hochman in part stating:
“We have determined that allegations of domestic violence fall outside of the statute of limitations, and we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Manson has faced continued pushback over the various allegations mentioned above, including a canceled show in the UK last year following local opposition and objections from politicians.
