Slipknot guitarist Jim Root has appeared to cast doubt on reports that turntablist Sid Wilson was fired from the band after more than 28 years, warning fans not to "believe everything you read." TMZ had reported on 31 July that a source close to the band confirmed Wilson had been permanently let go, though no reason or timing was given, five months after he reportedly ended his engagement to Kelly Osbourne. Root's comment matters because it introduces uncertainty into what had been reported as settled news, and because neither Slipknot nor Wilson has publicly confirmed the split.

Root posted the remark in a now-expired Instagram Story the same day the firing was reported, writing: "Don't believe everything you read. Stop. Think. Take a breath. Sit with it for awhile. Maybe. Just maybe even wait until there's more information." Representatives for Slipknot's label and Root's own label had not responded to requests for comment, and Wilson's costume remained listed on the band's official website. Wilson, born in Des Moines to English parents, joined the nu-metal band in 1995 and has featured on every studio album since their 1999 debut, also performing solo as DJ Starscream/SID; he and Osbourne had welcomed a son in 2022 before their reported split.