"We were set to perform 'The Hand That Feeds' with an unmolested, straightforward image of George W. Bush as the backdrop," Reznor wrote. "Apparently, the image of our president is as offensive to MTV as it is to me."

MTV has tapped the Foo Fighters to perform in NIN's place.

"While we respect Nine Inch Nails' point of view, we were uncomfortable with their performance being built around a partisan political statement," said a statement issued by the network. "When we discussed our discomfort with the band, their choice was to unfortunately pull out of the Movie Awards."

The MTV Movie Awards, which are also scheduled to feature performances by Eminem and Mariah Carey, will air June 9.