The “Born in the U.S.A.” singer is one of the few cultural figures to openly take aim at the Trump administration, having supported his opponent in the 2024 elections.
Bruce Springsteen delivered a fiery speech on May 14, criticizing Donald Trump and his administration during a concert in Manchester. The backlash was swift, with some fans even suggesting he should leave the country.
The singer made the remarks on stage in Manchester while opening his “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour alongside the E Street Band.
During the show, Springsteen told the crowd, “In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.”
He continued with a rallying call, “Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring.”
Bruce Springsteen’s remarks sparked an immediate wave of reactions online, with fans weighing in from both sides. One fan seemed baffled by the move, writing, “You can’t criticize your president in front of a foreign audience. I don’t understand why the model doesn’t hold up.”
Another person weighed in with disapproval, “Would never do that in America,” while someone else called him out, “Dude is clueless.”
The backlash continued with a fan asking, “Has he lost his mind ????” and another adding a touch of sarcasm, “Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Some went as far as suggesting, “Time to move away Bruce. Take your negativity with you.”
Still, not everyone was critical. One supporter praised him, “Amazing words – thank you, Bruce!” Another fan echoed that sentiment, “I love Bruce and his heartfelt rants. I wish more artists would speak up.”
In the 2024 election, Springsteen announced his support for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, positioning them as the candidates best suited to lead the country through what he described as one of the most consequential moments in its history. He made it clear he was firmly against Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Reflecting on the nation’s state, Springsteen suggested that the US had not felt so politically, emotionally, and spiritually divided since the Civil War. Still, he believed that unity was possible, and that the shared values and collective stories that once defined America could be reclaimed.
Now, that will take time, hard work and intelligence, faith and woman and men with the national good guiding their hearts,” he acknowledged.
Springsteen emphasized that America’s true strength went beyond its military or economic might. To him, what made the country powerful were its core values—freedom, social justice, equal opportunity, and the right to love without restrictions.
He went on to describe Trump as the “most dangerous candidate for president” he had seen in his lifetime. “His disdain for the sanctity of our Constitution, the sanctity of democracy, the sanctity of the rule of law and the sanctity of the peaceful transfer of power should disqualify him from the office of president ever again,” Springsteen declared.
The singer argued that Donald Trump failed to grasp the essence of the nation, its history, or what it truly meant to be American.
“On the other hand, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are committed to a vision of this country that respects and includes everyone, regardless of class, religion, race, your political point of view or sexual identity, and they want to grow our economy in a way that benefits all, not just the few, like me, on top. That’s the vision of America I’ve been consistently writing about for 55 years,” noted Springsteen.
He wrapped up his message by acknowledging that every American was entitled to their own political stance. Still, he said his vote, something he considered one of his most valuable possessions, would go to Harris and Walz..
Even though Trump ultimately won the election and Springsteen’s preferred candidates didn’t prevail, the singer has not backed down from using his voice.
He continues to speak out about what he believes are the dangers posed by Trump and his administration, urging Americans to reflect on the values that once unified the nation.
