Matt Erickson

USA TODAY

Eddie Vedder is no stranger to political statements. And when fan Graham Holey threw a Donald Trump mask onstage during the opening night of Pearl Jam's 2016 North American tour near Fort Lauderdale Friday, the front-man seized the moment.

Vedder picked up the mask during Do the Evolution – a song from the band's 1998 album Yield that has messages both implied and overt about politics, the environment, and society – and wore it while doing a dance that appeared to be inspired by Pee-Wee Herman's top-of-the-bar jig to Tequila in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure.

Moments after throwing the mask back into the frenzied pit in front of the stage, it sounded like Vedder changed up one of the song's original lyrics. "Appetite for a nightly feast – those ignorant Indians got nothin' on me" appeared to get a 2016 update, perhaps as commentary on some of Trump's wall-building campaign platforms. "Indians" became "immigrants" at that moment.

Vedder has experience with political figure masks — in 2003, Vedder had a George W. Bush mask onstage during the performance of the decidedly anti-Bush song Bu$hleaguer, which features lyrics like: "He's not a leader, he's a Texas leaguer. Swinging for the fence, got lucky with a strike. Drilling for fear makes the job simple. Born on third, thinks he got a triple."

That, in part, is what Holey said helped spark his idea with the Trump mask.

"Pearl Jam's actions in the past have voiced a moral conscience and compass that has enhanced the views of their fans," Holey wrote to USA TODAY. "Also in the past, the band has participated in several voter activation activities and tours. As I'd not seen the band having made any comment on the current political landscape, I thought it would be interesting to see what reaction and comment the mask would spark.

"Do The Evolution is a show staple (and) ... I decided this would be the appropriate song I'd wear the mask if played. Before the show, venue security saw me with my mask and instructed me not to wear it, so instead I decided if 'DTE' was played, I'd throw it up. And to make sure Eddie knew who the mask was, I had a friend write 'Trump' and 'Leaguer' on alternate cheeks."