Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, May 21: The clash between music and politics reached a boiling point this week, as legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen took direct aim at former US President Donald Trump, calling his administration “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.” Trump, known for never holding back, fired back with a volley of personal insults, branding Springsteen a “dried out prune of a rocker” and “highly overrated.”
The verbal duel ignited during Springsteen’s tour opener in Manchester, UK, where the 74-year-old icon delivered a scathing critique from the stage. “The America I love… is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration,” he declared, urging the audience to stand up against authoritarianism.
Trump’s response came swiftly on social media the next morning. “Never liked him, never liked his music… he’s not a talented guy – just a pushy, obnoxious JERK,” he wrote, escalating tensions by dragging other music powerhouses into the fray. He even suggested that Springsteen and pop icon Beyoncé be investigated for potentially making “illegal campaign donations” through their appearances supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in the last election cycle.
Despite both being in their 70s, proud New Jersey residents, and popular among older white Americans, the similarities between Trump and Springsteen end there. Springsteen, a longtime progressive voice in American music, has openly clashed with Republican leadership since the Reagan era. His resistance to Trump has only grown stronger, frequently calling out what he sees as a betrayal of American ideals.
Back on stage in Manchester the following night, Springsteen stood firm: “We are led by an unfit president and a rogue government who have no idea what it means to be deeply American.”
The war of words spilled into the wider music community. Canadian-American musician Neil Young jumped to Springsteen’s defense with a passionate blog post titled "TRUMP!!!", condemning Trump’s obsession with celebrity feuds over humanitarian crises like the one in Gaza. “Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America,” he wrote. “Taylor Swift is right. So is Bruce.”
Springsteen, known for past albums like The Ghost of Tom Joad and American Skin (41 Shots), has never shied away from controversial subjects — from immigrant struggles to police violence. Though he holds a significant conservative fan base, he continues to challenge political narratives through both lyrics and activism.
This isn't new terrain for The Boss. During Ronald Reagan’s presidency, Springsteen criticized the Republican leader for misinterpreting his songs. More recently, he clashed with GOP figures like former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — an ardent fan of his music.
In 2020, Springsteen bluntly referred to Trump as “a con man from Queens,” a dig that stung the former president, who famously reshaped his public image from Manhattan.
While Trump may want Springsteen to “KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT,” as he posted, the artist shows no signs of backing down. His current European tour, although light on politics, has taken a sharp turn amid rising global political tensions. Though he hasn’t performed in the U.S. since before the 2024 election, fans and critics alike are watching closely for what message he’ll bring home.
As Springsteen champions democracy from foreign stages and Trump wages war online, the cultural divide in America remains as charged as ever — with music once again taking center stage in the nation's political theatre.