Billy Corgan has described Marilyn Manson as "a part of our family" while discussing his long standing friendship with the controversial rock star.

During an appearance on The New York Times' Popcast podcast on Thursday, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman was asked about his relationship with Manson, whom he has known for around three decades.

Corgan explained that his Christian beliefs led him to "stand by" the musician, whose real name is Brian Warner, after multiple women accused him of abuse and misconduct.

"But that doesn't mean you don't have an opinion, and that doesn't mean you're not critical. In his case, and I'm not here to adjudicate it, but the DA (District Attorney) looked at the case for five years," he began. "In some cases, I knew personal things behind the scenes that are not in the public sphere. I personally didn't feel that he was guilty of the things he was being charged with, and ultimately, the fact that the DA didn't pursue it."

Warner has previously reached settlements outside court with several accusers, including actress Esmé Bianco. He also abandoned his long running defamation lawsuit against his former partner Evan Rachel Wood in November 2024.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigated multiple allegations of abuse against the 57 year old musician. In January 2025, authorities announced that no criminal charges would be brought, citing insufficient evidence and a legal technicality.

The singer, best known for The Beautiful People, has consistently denied the allegations and maintained that his sexual relationships have been consensual.

Corgan went on to explain why he believed he had made the "right determination" in standing by Warner.

"So, I think anybody in that situation struggles with... the seriousness of the accusations, but again, I also knew the inside baseball of the case. I knew certain people who are involved, and so you make those evaluations," the 59 year old continued. "At the end of the day, I feel I made the right determination, but if things had come out... Like, people would ask me privately, 'Well, what happens if...' and I'd say, 'If he's guilty, or anybody in that situation is guilty, they should go to jail.'"

Corgan also revealed that Warner has a family connection to Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, adding another layer to their longstanding relationship.

"The other thing that people should know, and it may get lost in the gloss here, is Manson's wife Lindsay (Usich) is a twin," he added. "And her twin is Ashley (Usich), and Ashley's married to James Iha of the Pumpkins. So, Manson's basically a part of our family. There's a deeper set of relationships there."

Representatives for Warner have yet to comment on Corgan's remarks.