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Bruce Springsteen and Donald Trump are locked in a transatlantic war of words, and things are getting personal.
What started as a political comment during a rock concert has now escalated into a bitter public spat between music legend Bruce Springsteen and former President Donald Trump. The feud ignited on May 14 in Manchester, England, during the kickoff of Springsteen’s European tour, when the 75-year-old artist slammed Trump’s leadership, calling his administration “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.”
“This is not the America I believe in,” Springsteen told his audience, urging fans to stand up against authoritarianism and defend democracy.
Trump didn’t let that slide. He took to his social media platform, Truth Social, calling Springsteen “highly overrated,” “dumb as a rock,” and mocking his appearance. “This dried-out ‘prune’ of a rocker ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the country,” Trump wrote.
But Springsteen wasn’t done either. He doubled down the following night in Manchester, saying, “A majority of our elected representatives have failed to protect the American people from the abuses of an unfit president and a rogue government.”
Here’s Eddie Vedder in Pittsburgh last night, responding to the Trump administration’s reaction to Bruce Springsteen’s recent comments. pic.twitter.com/QoIZTbQJ7w
— Ian Shantz (@IanShantz) May 19, 2025
The back-and-forth insults have since spiraled into political threats. On Monday, Trump suggested he would push for an investigation into Springsteen and other musicians who’ve supported Democratic campaigns, especially those backing Vice President Kamala Harris. He hinted that their appearances might violate campaign finance laws, though he offered no evidence.
“How much did Kamala Harris pay Bruce Springsteen for his poor performance?” Trump posted. “It’s not legal!”
This clash isn’t new territory for “The Boss.” Springsteen has been outspoken about Trump for years, calling him a “con man” and a “toxic narcissist” during previous election campaigns. He’s also been critical of other Republican figures throughout his career.
Now, the music world is rallying behind Springsteen. The American Federation of Musicians issued a strong statement supporting both Springsteen and pop star Taylor Swift, who was also attacked by Trump recently. “Musicians have the right to freedom of expression,” the statement read.
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder voiced his support over the weekend during a concert in Pittsburgh, calling Springsteen “a true American.” The band even played Springsteen’s “My City of Ruins” in solidarity.
Legendary rocker Neil Young also chimed in, writing, “Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America. You shut down FEMA when we needed it most. That’s your problem, Trump.”
Source: Yahoo News
