Rock band Pearl Jam criticised by Republicans for poster that depicts White House in flames

A poster promoting a concert by Pearl Jam has been condemned by Republicans for showing the White House in flames.

The poster, advertising the group's appearance at the "Rock2Vote" concert also shows a bald eagle pecking at a skeleton which Republicans claim is meant to depict Donald Trump.

The artwork is a collaboration between bassist Jeff Ament and Bobby Brown, an artist also known as Bobby Draws Skulls.

It has been compared to the photo of comedian Kathy Griffin holding a fake decapitated Trump head.

"Rock2Vote" aims to encourage young people to head to the polls for the November midterm elections and support Democratic US Senator Jon Tester of Montana, who is from Mr Ament's hometown of Big Sandy.

The poster includes an accompanying message that says, "Y'all know the deal, we're at a tipping point and its time for action."

The poster shows Mr Tester in a tractor flying over a burning Washington, D.C., framed by the letters "P" and "J," with smoke forming the word "Vote" in the background.

Several objects and people are in the foreground, including a skeleton with a full head of hair lying face down, an eagle pecking at the bones of its foot.

Tester's Republican opponent, Montana State Auditor Matt Rosendale, also is depicted with a crab claw for a hand and carrying a "Maryland" flag, a reference to Mr Rosendale's native state.

The message accompanying the poster included the description: "D.C. burning. Tester Evel Knievel on tractor ... over the cesspool below. Russian money, golf courses, hookers? Maryland Matt. Stars and Stripes as flames."

Mr Rosendale called the poster "disgusting and reprehensible" and called on Mr Tester to "denounce this act of violence and blatant display of extremism."

The National Republican Senate Committee, which is supporting Mr Rosendale's campaign, also blamed Mr Tester for not speaking out against the poster it called "gory."

The committee compared it to other examples of public figures "encouraging violence" against Trump, like Griffin's photo.

Tester communications director Chris Meagher did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Pearl Jam was travelling on Wednesday and not immediately available for comment, according to Whitney Williams, a publicist for the Missoula concert.

Fans of the band have been divided over the poster. Some said they were disappointed while others backed the group claiming that fans should know that Pearl Jam have strong political views.

Mr Ament told The Associated Press in April that the band wanted to use the Montana concert to support local advocacy groups, encourage voter participation and boost Mr Tester's campaign. He said he believed that the political climate had become too divisive.

"Probably more than ever it's important to have a congressman that can sort of make people think less emotionally about some of these things," he said.

Additional reporting by AP.