- Rock icon launches three scaving attacks during show
- “They have no concern or idea for what it means to be deeply American”
- Springsteen has a history of criticizing Trump’s politics
Bruce Springsteen took a moment during his concert last night to remind the fans what he really thinks of President Trump.
Performing at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, Springsteen, known as ‘The Boss’ told the 20,000-plus crowd that his country is “currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration.”
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The 75-year-old didn’t stop there, though, launching into three separate scathing political speeches throughout the show. He told fans that Trump has “no concern or idea of what it means to be deeply American.”
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Springsteen and the E Street Band are currently on their 2025 tour, officially titled The Land of Hope and Dreams Tour. Last night’s performance was the opening night of the UK and European run that will last until July.
What did Bruce Springsteen say about Trump?
Before playing Land of Hope and Dreams, a passionate Springsteen told the audience “The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ‘n roll in dangerous times”.
He continued, “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. 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!”
You can watch the rock icon’s speech in the clip below:
Later in the set, the rocker took another jab at Trump before launching into House of a Thousand Guitars.
“The last check on power, after the checks and balances of government have failed, are the people, you and me,” he said.
“It’s in the union of people around a common set of values that’s all that stands between a democracy and authoritarianism. At the end of the day, all we’ve got is each other.”
“They’re rolling back historic civil rights”
Finally, before playing a rendition of My City Of Ruins, Springsteen took the opportunity to address the fans again.
“There’s some very weird, strange, and dangerous s*** going on out there right now. In America, they are persecuting people for using their right to free speech and voicing their dissent. This is happening now.
The lengthy speech continued with Springsteen saying “In my country, they’re taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers. They’re rolling back historic civil rights legislation that has led to a more just and plural society”.
Reflecting on the state of the nation, he added that despite its flaws, he still believes in the spirit of America and its people.
“They have no concern or idea for what it means to be deeply American. The America l’ve sung to you about for 50 years is real and regardless of its faults is a great country with a great people. So we’ll survive this moment”.
The full speech can be seen in the video below:
Must watch as Bruce Springsteen opens his European Tour eviscerating Trump: "My home, the America I love that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration." pic.twitter.com/4SFQFecjZB
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) May 15, 2025
The Born in the USA singer is no stranger to calling out Trump. During his first term, Springsteen was a vocal critic of the president’s politics. He publicly endorsed Kamala Harris in November’s election, performed at one of her rallies, and has even described Trump as “mentally ill”.