A Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band Faces Backlash Over the Boss’ Political Commentary
In a twist of fate that could only be described as ironic, a Bruce Springsteen cover band found themselves out of a gig in the Boss’ own New Jersey due to concerns over potential backlash from Springsteen’s outspoken critiques of President Donald Trump during his international concerts. Meanwhile, Springsteen himself continued his political tirade at a performance in France, complete with French subtitles for his anti-Trump rhetoric displayed on jumbotrons.
The Springsteen tribute band, No Surrender, was scheduled to perform on May 30 at the Rivs Toms River Hub, located in a southern New Jersey area known for its Trump-supporting clientele. However, the venue’s owner, Tony Rivoli, had a change of heart after Springsteen’s sharp remarks about the Trump administration at a concert in Manchester, England earlier this month.
According to a report from NJ.com, the cancellation unfolded as follows:
Shortly after Springsteen commenced his European tour with a scathing critique of the Trump administration on May 14, bandleader Brad Hobicorn began receiving texts from Rivoli expressing concern. By Sunday, Rivoli had officially canceled the gig, deeming it “too risky at the moment,” due to the conservative leanings of his restaurant’s patrons.
Hobicorn suggested that the band could perform a selection of classic-rock covers instead, but Rivoli hesitated at the prospect of paying $2,500 for a non-Springsteen act. “Unfortunately, it’s just too much money. I wanted to do the Springsteen tribute for that price because my social media team would have promoted it, and we would have done well. But now, thanks to Bruce’s inability to keep his opinions to himself, we’re in a bind,” Rivoli lamented in a text message to Hobicorn that was obtained by NJ Advance Media.
In another message directed at bassist Guy Fleming, Rivoli stated, “Whenever the national anthem plays, my bar stands in complete silence; that’s our clientele. Toms River is red and won’t tolerate his bull—-.”
During his Saturday night concert at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, Lille, France, Springsteen continued his political commentary, delivering multiple speeches in English accompanied by French subtitles:
The good news is that Bruce Springsteen opened his set in Lille with a heartfelt rant against trump. He remains unbowed under the pink baby’s onslaught. More power to him pic.twitter.com/JPzO7vmtye
— simon read (@simonnread) May 24, 2025
In a world full of Trumps. Be a Bruce Springsteen! pic.twitter.com/g9lAygcoR8
— René Leenders (@LeendersRene) May 24, 2025
The text of Springsteen’s speech, where he lambasted President Trump (and his supporters), was originally delivered in Manchester on May 14 and has since been repeated at every show:
Introduction to My City of Ruins
There’s some very weird, strange and dangerous shit 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 world’s poorest children to sickness and death. This is happening now.
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.
They are abandoning our great allies and siding with dictators against those struggling for their freedom. They are defunding American universities that won’t 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 I’ve sung to you about for 50 years is real and, regardless of its faults, is a great country with great people. So, we’ll survive this moment. Now, I have hope, because I believe in the truth of what the great American writer James Baldwin said. He said, “In this world, there isn’t as much humanity as one would like, but there’s enough.” Let’s pray.
Springsteen is set to tour Europe for the next month and a half, concluding in Italy on July 3. As of now, no U.S. tour dates have been announced.
In response, President Trump has taken to social media to fire back at Springsteen, most notably reviving a meme that features a clip of Springsteen falling on stage during a concert in Amsterdam back in May 2023:
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2025
UPDATE: Springsteen’s opening speech from the Lille concert has been added:
Ce soir à Lille, dès la première seconde du show, Springsteen s’en prend à nouveau à Trump #nosurrender #landofhopeanddreams @LCI @TF1Info pic.twitter.com/NgGZFc1rvs
— Grégory Philipps (@gregphil) May 24, 2025
