Bruce Springsteen, the iconic New Jersey rocker known for his support of Democratic candidates since John Kerry, had a dramatic outburst during the kickoff concert of his European tour in Manchester, England, on Wednesday night. This outburst was sparked by President Donald Trump’s return to the presidency, leading to a torrent of criticism directed at the former president.
During the concert, Springsteen lambasted Trump, labeling his administration as ācorrupt, incompetent, and treasonous,ā and referring to Trump himself as an āunfit president and a rogue government.ā Such remarks, however, omitted any acknowledgment of Trumpās efforts to revitalize blue-collar jobs in America or his attempts to argue against prolonged military conflictsāthemes that resonate with many of Springsteen’s fans.
Springsteen took aim at the Trump administration’s stance on funding for universities, claiming they were being penalized for not conforming to ideological demands. He framed these demands as attempts to safeguard the rights of marginalized groups, including Jewish students facing hostility and women and girls in sports threatened by transgender inclusion.
His concert began with a fervent address to the British audience as a prelude to his song, “Land of Hope and Dreams.” He continued his critique of Trump in speeches before performing “House of a Thousand Guitars” and “My City of Ruins.” Notably, he dedicated the anti-Trump song “Rainmaker” to āour dear leader,ā and closed the show with Bob Dylanās “Chimes of Freedom,” a track he hadnāt performed live since the Amnesty International world tour in 1988.
In his remarks, Springsteen cloaked his criticisms in a call for democracy, conveniently ignoring that Trump was democratically elected in 2024 by a significant portion of the electorate, capturing all seven swing states and securing a substantial majority in both the popular and Electoral College votes, which also shifted control of both houses of Congress to the Republicans.
Springsteen’s outburst in Manchester can be seen as a reflection of his discontent with the American electorate’s rejection of his progressive values, which include open borders, economic stagnation, and policies perceived as divisive on racial and gender lines. His frustrations were palpable as he grappled with the reality of a political landscape that diverges sharply from his artistic vision.
Interestingly, the Boss seems to resonate more with European audiences, often reserving his tribute to Vietnam veterans, “Born in the U.S.A.,” exclusively for overseas performances. This was evident during his recent Manchester show, where he performed “BIUSA” as the first encore.
Springsteenās team shared video and text detailing his remarks:
Text of Springsteenās remarks:
Introduction to Land of Hope and Dreams
Good Evening!
Itās great to be in Manchester and back in the U.K. Welcome to the Land of Hope & Dreams Tour! The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ānā roll in dangerous times.
In my home, the America I love, the America Iāve 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!
Introduction to House of a Thousand Guitars
The last check, the last check on power after the checks and balances of government have failed are the people, you and me. Itās in the union of people around a common set of values now thatās all that stands between a democracy and authoritarianism. At the end of the day, all weāve got is each other.
Introduction to My City of Ruins
Thereās some very weird, strange and dangerous stuff 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.
In America, the richest men are taking satisfaction in abandoning the worldās poorest children to sickness and death. This is happening now.
In my country, theyāre taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers.
Theyāre rolling back historic civil rights legislation that has led to a more just and plural society.
They are abandoning our great allies and siding with dictators against those struggling for their freedom. They are defunding American universities that wonāt bow down to their ideological demands.
They are removing residents off American streets and, without due process of law, are deporting them to foreign detention centers and prisons. This is all happening now.
A majority of our elected representatives have failed to protect the American people from the abuses of an unfit president and a rogue government. They have no concern or idea for what it means to be deeply American.
The America Iāve sung to you about for 50 years is real and regardless of its faults is a great country with a great people. So weāll survive this moment. Now, I have hope, because I believe in the truth of the great American writer James Baldwin, who said, āIn this world, there isnāt as much humanity as one would like, but thereās enough.ā Letās pray.
Audience video of show closer “Chimes of Freedom” from Manchester:
At 75, Springsteen has not yet announced any U.S. concerts following his European tour. Traditionally, he undertakes a summer stadium tour across the U.S. after performing in Europe. Given the politically charged nature of his recent performances, it will be intriguing to see how he is received back home.
