Bruce Springsteen has offered a "prayer of thanks" that President Donald Trump was not killed during the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington DC. The 76-year-old rock star, a longtime critic of the Trump administration, paused his criticism while performing in Austin, Texas.
Springsteen's Statement on Stage
In video circulating on social media, Springsteen told his audience: "We begin tonight with a prayer for our men and women in service overseas, we pray for their safe return. We also send out a prayer of thanks that our president, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured at last night's incident at the press correspondents' dinner."
He added: "We can disagree. We can be critical of those in power, and we can peacefully fight for our beliefs. But there is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States."
Background of the Feud
The musician known as "The Boss" and the president have had a long-running feud dating back over a decade. In 2012, before his entry into politics, Trump singled out Springsteen on social media. In September 2016, Springsteen called Trump a "moron" in Rolling Stone and endorsed Hillary Clinton.
Earlier this month, Trump urged MAGA supporters to boycott Springsteen, calling him "a dried up prune" and his concerts "overpriced." Despite this, Springsteen set aside their differences to express gratitude for Trump's safety.
Political Activism
Springsteen is well known for using his music to speak out about political issues, having previously labelled the Trump administration "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous." However, his recent prayer underscores his stance against political violence.
