20 Craziest Things Charles Manson Has Ever Said

20 Craziest Things Charles Manson Has Ever Said

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for some of the more colorful things said by late cult leader Charles Manson.

Manson Claims He’s the Pope

Author and former news anchor Penny Daniels interviewed Charles Manson in 1989. A disgruntled Manson arrived, frustrated that the interviewer wasn't who he was expecting. Honestly, Daniels should be commended for her poise and calm when faced with Manson’s constant standoffish nature. Daniels eventually asked Manson what he had to do with God (something that came up frequently during the trial and beyond). Manson replied that he was somehow sent by the divine to spread the word, and went on to imply that he transcends the room, among other things.

Manson Is a Reflection of Our Society

Manson was not a man of few words, and recurring themes can be found throughout his rantings. One such theme was that Manson saw himself as somehow divinely outside of everything, as well as a perceived product of our society’s disillusionment. Following his 1971 conviction for the Tate-LaBianca murders, Manson addressed how society perceived him and how wrong it was: “Mr. and Mrs. America you are wrong. I am not the King of the Jews nor am I a hippie cult leader. I am what you have made of me and the mad dog devil killer fiend leper is a reflection of your society.” Manson had a way of diverting the blame to anyone but himself, from his “Family” members to, well, everyone else.

Manson on Judging Us

Manson’s 1970 testimony is a rambling mess in some instances, but there are some standout moments. Many of Manson’s speeches referred to judgment, both his own and that of others. Though he considered himself a messianic figure of sorts, Manson also frequently reminded his audiences that he could not judge them: “I can’t judge any of you. I have no malice against you and no ribbons for you. But I think that it is high time that you all start looking at yourselves, and judging the lie that you live in.” It’s a little contradictory that Manson called himself “Jesus and the Devil,” yet also claimed he couldn’t judge us.

Prison Is in Your Mind

According to Manson, he was never really imprisoned. In fact, prison was a manifestation of the mind. During his 1970 testimony, Manson said: “We’re all our own prisons, we are each all our own wardens and we do our own time… prison’s in your mind. Can’t you see I’m free?” Call him anything you want, but Manson’s words are thought-provoking. Whether we like it or not, we are all trapped within ourselves. However, there are still physical prisons for those whose crimes transcend their inner thoughts. In 1967 when released after a 10-year stint for forgery, Manson begged the guards to let him stay. In his 1970 testimony, Manson said, “My father is the jailhouse.”

Devils & Demons

Charles Manson was up for parole a number of times between 1970 and 2017, but was rejected each time. In 1986, Manson sat before the parole board and attempted to read a rambling, 20-page statement. He was cut off after 15 minutes, his speech being referred to as frequently “unintelligible,” with such quotes as: “From the world of darkness, I did loose demons and devils in the power of scorpions to torment. I could have a parole and have no soul. I will keep my soul and have no parole.” What this means is open to interpretation. Perhaps it is a reference to his word being spread despite his imprisonment? Despite the cryptic nature of the words, they do seem to reassess Manson’s comfort with the imprisoned life.

One of the Most Dangerous Men in the World

During a 1970 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Manson said, “I'm probably one of the most dangerous men in the world if I want to be. But I never wanted to be anything but me.” Manson appeared to frequently refer to his potential for being something bigger, yet also a reluctance to release said potential due to its impact on society. The “most dangerous men” statement is oddly accurate - Manson was said to be influential to some until his death in 2017. In fact, the 1980s saw Manson worshippers holding a vigil outside the prison, chanting for the cult leader’s release. Had he been released or never caught, would he have been as dangerous as he imagined?

Leave Something Witchy

In another highly unsettling interview, Manson spoke with Diane Sawyer in 1994. It was said he had told the Manson Family women to “leave something witchy” at the famous crime scene, which he confirmed to be true in the interview. His meaning was to let people know you were there with some sort of symbol. The crime scenes were adorned with writings in blood, including “death to pigs” and a misspelled “helter skelter”. Though Manson claimed not to be involved in the murders, his figurative fingerprints are all over the crime scene. The symbols left behind, the “something witchy”, are Manson’s words.

Killing Someone Is Like…

Manson was fond of likening murder to mundane, everyday things. That definitely added to his terrifying demeanor. During a particularly aggressive NBC interview with Heidi Schulman in 1987, Manson revealed how he would feel about murdering someone, even finding a weapon in his immediate surroundings. Honestly, is there anything more mundane than walking to the drugstore? Manson’s nonchalance towards the subject is really off-putting. Props to the interviewer for remaining calm in the face of Manson’s threats and hypothetical murder plans. We’re not sure we would have been so reserved.

Charles Manson Is an Illusion

The 1980 KCRA interview with Mike Boyd seems a little different when compared to the others on this list. Manson seems more sedate, almost light-headed. That doesn’t help with the discomfort one feels when looking into his eyes. At this point in time, Manson claimed to be “born again.” A Manson book was being worked on by Nuel Emmons, and the interviewer was addressing Manson’s involvement and feelings towards it. This is when Manson mentioned that the public’s perception of him was an illusion. Manson often referred to his public image and how wrong it was. He never, however, really proved it inaccurate.

Manson Has No Remorse

Charles Manson was allegedly responsible for 9 murders, and potentially up to 24. The thing is, he wasn’t physically responsible for the 9, according to witness accounts. Regardless, one would expect some semblance of remorse, as is typically human. Manson, unsurprisingly, had none and proudly said so. In his 1987 interview, when asked about remorse for his crimes, Manson responded with “what crimes?” Throughout the trial and subsequent interviews, Manson maintained that he hadn’t killed anyone. However, a closer look at the same interview reveals Manson stating he “should’ve” killed more. The use of the words “should have” kind of implies he was involved in the initial 9 deaths, right?

Manson Claims He Invented God

It’s an age-old question mankind has pondered for centuries: “If God created everything, who created God?” well, apparently we have the head of the Manson Family to thank for that. During this especially uncomfortable interview, Charles Manson cites God as his best friend, having created him. While that’s already a pretty nutty thing to say, what ensues will raise your eyebrows to a whole new level. Upon being asked if he himself is Jesus Christ, Manson explains that there are actually many Jesuses all over the world. Okay, it is believed by some that God appears in many different forms, but Manson’s assessment probably isn’t what most people have in mind

Manson Never Killed Anyone

Charles Manson was convicted of first-degree murder, but he did not directly kill even one of the victims for whom he went to jail. Rather, he ordered members of his quote unquote “Family” to carry out the Tate/LaBianca murders. So when Manson told Heidi Schulman in 1987 that he “never killed anyone,” there’s arguably some accuracy to his words. However, Manson’s follow-up statement makes about as much sense as Helter Skelter. Is Manson implying that he can kill people using his own mind or that he can get into other people’s head and influence them to commit murder?

Manson Is So Smart He’s Dumb

Believe it or not, Manson wanted to be a rock musician and has released various albums since he rose to infamy in the early ‘70s. In 2003, thirteen of his recordings from 1967 were finally released on an album entitled “All the Way Alive.” The whole CD is littered with strange comments, but a standout moment has got to be when Manson makes this oxymoronic statement: “I was so smart when I was a kid that I learnt that I was dumb fast.” Socrates made a similar proclamation when he coined the phrase, “I know one thing; that I know nothing.” Unlike Socrates, though, Manson probably won’t go down as one of the great philosophers in most people’s books.

Manson Is Nobody

While Manson has been in the public eye for the better part of forty years, he’s still a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. In this interview, a reporter tries to get to the center of this notorious figure, asking Manson to sum himself up in a sentence. Following a series of bizarre facial expressions that would make Jim Carrey jealous, the snickering Manson replies with one word: “Nobody.” An awkward pause ensues, after which Manson proceeds to describe himself in a variety of ways. Most disturbing of all, Manson states that if you get too close to him, he’s “a straight razor.” We didn’t think it was possible, but Manson’s an even bigger question mark now.

Manson Thinks Everybody’s Crazy

In 1994, ABC News aired a haunting jailhouse interview journalist Diane Sawyer conducted with Manson. Never one to shy away from blunt questions, Sawyer inevitably asks her subject, “Is Charlie Manson crazy?” Manson doesn’t deny that he has a few loose screws, but as far as he’s concerned, this makes no difference in today’s world. To a certain extent, perhaps everyone is indeed at least a little crazy in this wonderland we call earth. If you sat down and had a tea party with Manson, though, it’s safe to say that most of us would feel like Alice in the Mad Hatter’s presence.

Manson Speaks Gibberish

By now, you’ve more than likely noticed that most of the things Charles Manson says are difficult to analyze. However, this statement is so out-there that it could be mistaken for an alien speaking another language. In the aforementioned interview with Heidi Schulman, Manson turns the tables and starts asking the questions. We have no idea what Manson meant by that last question, but the gibberish that follows is even more incomprehensible. Did Manson lose his train of thought? Is he mocking the reporter? What just happened here?

Manson Says His Children Are Coming

Heidi Schulman’s interview with Manson was laced with unhinged ramblings, but their meeting reached the pinnacle of creepy towards the end. Once again, the cult leader suggests that he didn’t kill anyone. If he started murdering people, however, Manson swears we’d all be in trouble. As if that’s not eerie enough, Manson also states that his children are coming, like he’s setting up the sequel to a horror picture. What makes these threats especially ironic is that Manson essentially claimed in the same interview that he wouldn’t kill somebody if given the opportunity. Then again, Mr. Manson is anything but consistent.

Manson Explains Helter Skelter

Manson sparked the 1969 killing spree through “Helter Skelter,” a term he derived from a popular Beatles song. Manson told his followers that Helter Skelter referred to a looming apocalyptic race war between whites and blacks that the Tate/LaBianca murders could help instigate. He suggested that during this race war, his Family would hide underground to emerge only after the blacks had claimed victory. The Family would then seize control from them to run the world. Of course, Manson contradicted this at his trial, saying “Helter Skelter is confusion. Confusion is coming down around you fast. If you can't see the confusion coming down around you fast, you can call it what you wish.”

Charles Manson Insults Ted Bundy

Charles Manson and Ted Bundy might be among the most infamous criminals in American history, but that doesn’t mean they would’ve been two peas in a pod. In this interview, Manson is asked for his opinion on Bundy, who had been executed in 1989. In response, Manson basically calls the serial killer a bunch of names. He also challenges Bundy’s masculinity. Manson doesn’t see eye-to-eye with Bundy’s views on pornography either. As troubling as Manson’s comments are, it’s also darkly humorous to hear him basically turn into a troll with a severe potty mouth.

Manson Sees All the Evil Inside

Throughout this list, each entry has offered a glimpse into Charles Manson’s twisted mind. In arguably his most unsettling moment ever captured on film, Manson looks inside himself and expresses what he sees: “the good, bad, the evil.” As for how much evil is in there, Manson claims it’s all relative. Following an unnerving cackle, Manson goes on to describe his mind even further. And as for his jail cell, it’s not as limiting to him as you’d think. However you interpret these words, chances are you’ll be left chilled to the core.

Which quote makes you most uncomfortable? Let us know in the comments!