Bruce Springsteen has angered Donald Trump supporters after he launched into a blistering attack on the US President during his Manchester concert Wednesday night, calling the current administration "corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous" while urging fans to stand against authoritarianism.
The 75-year-old rock legend made the remarks at the opening of his European tour at Manchester's Co-op Arena, where he delivered one of his most forceful political statements to date.
"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," Springsteen told the packed venue.
Springsteen opened his show by declaring that the E Street Band had come "to call upon the righteous power of music, art, and rock and roll in dangerous times" currently facing the United States.
Bruce Springsteen performs at his Manchester show on May 14
GETTY
After his condemnation of the Trump administration, the rock icon called for action from his audience.
"Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American spirit to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism, and let freedom reign," he urged the crowd.
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Bruce Springsteen sends a message to Donald Trump at the first show of his European tour: “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… pic.twitter.com/s3hEEesgEt
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Following his speech, Springsteen performed Land of Hope and Dreams, a song from his album Wrecking Ball. He later dedicated the live debut of Rainmaker from his 2020 album Letter to You to "our dear leader," according to reports from the show.
Fan recordings from the event have since gone viral on social media, including one which shows Springsteen sounding off on Trump for a total of five minutes throughout the show.
In the aftermath of the comments, Trump supporters have rallied against the singer for his political remarks during a music gig, with some urging him to "retire" and others branding him "out of touch".
"I’m old enough to remember when Bruce Springsteen used to sing about the struggling working class, factory workers, hollowed out towns in middle America, and our military, which is ironically what Trump campaigned on," one fan on X wrote in response to a Variety article about the gig.
A second hit out: "He needs to retire... Like YESTERDAY! Nothing like bashing the majority in his own country that made him a VERY VERY RICH MAN??"
Elsewhere, a third said: "Oh yes, please let’s hear from the privileged, elite, rich, out of touch with America, s**t entertainer (refuse to call him a musician) and his thoughts about politics, spoiler alert no one f***ing cares."
"I definitely want to pay a s***load of money to have a musician rail on about the leader of another country," a fourth sarcastically commented.
However, there were some who applauded Springsteen for using his platform to speak against Trump, including one fan who hit back: "The Boss spitting truth to those who aren't blind." (sic)
Bruce Springsteen has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump for years
REUTERSThis is far from the first time Springsteen has voiced opposition to Trump. The singer has been a passionate liberal who has consistently campaigned for Democratic presidential candidates over the years.
During the 2024 election campaign, Springsteen campaigned heavily for Kamala Harris, calling Trump an "American tyrant" just days before the election.
At a Harris rally last October, Springsteen articulated his vision for America's leadership: "I want a president who reveres the Constitution, who does not threaten, but wants to protect and guide our great democracy, who believes in the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power, who will fight for a woman's right to choose."
Springsteen had initially shown some reluctance about political commentary, telling Variety in 2017 that he was "ambivalent about... sort of getting on a soapbox."
Springsteen is set to perform two more shows at Manchester's Co-op Arena on May 17 and 20, followed by dates in Liverpool in early June.
His European tour, recently renamed The Land of Hope and Dreams from its original title Letter to You, will then take him to France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
Bruce Springsteen told the Manchester crowd that Trump's administration was 'corrupt'
GETTY
The Manchester show featured a revamped setlist compared to the band's 2023-24 concerts, with additions including Death to My Hometown, Murder Incorporated, and Born in the USA.
The concert closed with a cover of Bob Dylan's Chimes of Freedom, with Springsteen telling the audience, "Take this home with you."
The 16-date European tour marks the final leg of the E Street Band's critically acclaimed tour that began in February 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
