Bruce Springsteen has launched a fresh attack on the Trump administration, calling it 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous' during the opening night of his European tour in Manchester, England. The rock star, who had previously been cautious about voicing political opinions, has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of the former president.
Speaking to a crowd at the AO Arena on Wednesday, Springsteen urged fans to 'raise your voices against authoritarianism'. He said: '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. 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's comments come after he had initially been reluctant to speak out against Trump. In a 2017 interview with Variety, he said he was 'ambivalent about getting on a soapbox' and believed people came to music primarily to be entertained. However, he gradually increased his criticism during his Broadway residency and later campaigned for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
During a rally for Harris last autumn, Springsteen described Trump as 'an American tyrant' who 'does not understand this country, its history, or what it means to be deeply American'. Despite his efforts, Trump won the election. Springsteen's latest outburst in Manchester marks a continuation of his outspoken stance against the current administration.
