Bruce Springsteen’s former drummer, Vini Lopez, has voiced his disagreement with the New York Post following its publication of a story suggesting he believes his former “Boss” should respect President Donald Trump.
Lopez, who played drums for Springsteen from 1968 to 1974, was featured in an article by the Post published on Sunday, headlined, “Ex-Longtime Springsteen Drummer Vini Lopez Says Woke Boss Should Respect Trump.”
While Springsteen is currently vocal against Trump during his tour, the article implies that Lopez holds a different view of the president.
The article quotes Lopez saying, “You gotta have respect for the president,” and “Trump is the president of the United States — everyone should have respect for him.”
Additionally, Lopez is quoted as saying that if he were beside Trump, he would “have mucho respect for the man,” but humorously noted he “wouldn’t talk to him about anything that’s going on” politically.
Lopez also recounted meeting Trump before his presidency while working as a caddy at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, describing him as nice and inquisitive.
According to Lopez, Trump told him to inform Springsteen, “I’m his biggest fan.”
However, on Monday, Lopez took to social media to refute the article, claiming he was misquoted and misrepresented.
“If you read that NY Post thing I want you to know that first of all that Headline is a pure Lie. I never said that,” he declared on Facebook.
Lopez emphasized he “would never call Bruce woke,” and made it clear that he stands with Springsteen.
He further explained that he told the Post reporter he respects “the office of the Presidentcy [sic].! NOT TRUMP..!! ”
“That article sucks.!” he added. “I’ll never trust anyone again when talking to them.!”
JS contacted the author of the Post article for a comment regarding Lopez’s reaction, but received no immediate response.
Despite this controversy, it is evident that both Springsteen and Trump have expressed clear mutual animosity.
Since January, Springsteen has criticized Trump, notably releasing the song “Streets of Minneapolis” in response to a deadly immigration crackdown in the city that resulted in the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
Earlier this month, Trump retaliated by branding Springsteen a “bad” and “very boring singer,” and remarked that he “looks like a dried up prune” on his Truth Social platform.
