Bruce Springsteen Shares Bold Thoughts at His Concert — Audience Reacts
The “Born in the U.S.A.” singer, who backed his opponent in the 2024 elections, is among the few public people to publicly criticize the Trump administration.
At a Manchester event on May 14, Bruce Springsteen gave an impassioned statement against Donald Trump and his government. The criticism came quickly, with some supporters even saying he ought to leave the nation.
While launching his “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour with the E Street Band in Manchester, the singer made the comments live.
During his performance, Springsteen informed the audience, “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.”
He went on to say, “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.”
Fans immediately responded to Bruce Springsteen’s comments on the internet, offering both sides of the debate. One admirer said, “You can’t criticize your president in front of a foreign audience,” seemingly perplexed by the decision. Why the model doesn’t work is beyond me.”
“Would never do that in America [sic],” said one, while another criticized him, saying, “Dude is clueless.”
“Has he lost his mind????” a fan asked as the criticism persisted. and another, with a hint of irony, “Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Some even suggested, “Bruce, it’s time to move on. Bring your pessimism along.
Not everyone was critical, though. “Amazing words – thank you, Bruce!” said one admirer. “I love Bruce and his heartfelt rants,” said another fan, echoing that view. I hope more artists will come forward.
Springsteen declared his support for Tim Walz and Kamala Harris in the 2024 race, arguing that they were the most qualified candidates to guide the nation through what he called one of the most important periods in its history. He made it clear that he passionately opposed both Vice President JD Vance and Trump.
As he reflected on the situation of the country, Springsteen said that since the Civil War, the US had not seemed more emotionally, politically, and spiritually divided.
Nevertheless, he thought that America might reunite and restore the common ideals and shared history that previously characterized the country.
“Now, that will take time, hard work and intelligence, faith and woman and men with the national good guiding their hearts,” he said.
According to Springsteen, America’s real might extended beyond its economic and military prowess. He believed that the nation’s fundamental principles—freedom, social fairness, equal opportunity, and the unrestricted right to love—were what gave it its strength.
According to him, Trump is the “most dangerous candidate for president” he has ever seen.
“His disdain for the sanctity of our Constitution, the sanctity of democracy, the sanctity of the rule of law and the sanctity of the peaceful transfer of power should disqualify him from the office of president ever again,” Springsteen said.
The artist contended that Donald Trump was unable to understand the history, the spirit of the country, or what it meant to be an American.
However, Tim Walz and Kamala Harris are dedicated to a vision of this nation that values and embraces all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, political beliefs, class, religion, or race.
They also want to expand our economy so that everyone benefits, not just the elite like me. “I’ve been writing about that vision of America for 55 years,” said Springsteen.
He concluded by stating that each American had the right to choose their own political position. Nevertheless, he declared that Harris and Walz would receive his vote, which he regarded as one of his most prized assets.
Springsteen has not backed down from utilizing his voice, despite the fact that Trump ended up winning the election and his favorite candidates lost.
He keeps speaking out against what he sees as the threats posed by Trump and his government, asking people to consider the principles that once bound the country together.
Actor Robert De Niro had already sparked political controversy with a daring speech at the Cannes Film Festival before Springsteen’s remarks made news.
Using his stage time to express gratitude, the celebrated actor accepted an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime accomplishment on May 13.
Reflections about his career were interspersed with scathing political criticism, specifically directed at Trump, by De Niro.
The “Titanic” actor Leonardo DiCaprio gave the honor to the film star. Fourteen years have passed since De Niro presided over the jury at the esteemed film festival in 2011.
De Niro discussed US political trends in his acceptance speech, mentioning Trump in particular.
He said, “In my country, we are fighting like [expletive] for the democracy we once took for granted.” He said, “That affects all of us here because the arts are democratic.”
The link between democratic values and the arts was highlighted by De Niro, who said, “That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists.”
He went on to discuss the recent nomination and policy plans of the US president. De Niro remarked, “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions,” alluding to the president’s appointment as chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Acting Arts.
Aside from criticizing the introduction of additional tariffs, the “Goodfellas” alum said, “He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities, and education, and now he has announced a 100 per cent tariff on films that are produced outside the US.”
“Let that sink in for a minute,” he said to the audience after a lengthy silence.
De Niro called the situation intolerable and called for international action. “These insults are all intolerable. And this is a worldwide issue, not just an American one,” he stated.
He issued a call to action as he concluded this section of his address. We can’t just sit back and watch it like a movie. We must take action, and we must do it quickly, passionately, and resolutely—without resorting to violence. Anyone who values liberty should organize, demonstrate, and, of course, cast a ballot in elections.
Social media users responded to De Niro’s remarks in a variety of ways, as was to be expected. The passion of his statement was conveyed in a number of comments on TikTok.
“Who hurt him?” was written by one individual. One more person said, “A man with courage.” “Words are powerful when spoken with conviction,” said a third.
On Facebook, however, opinions differed greatly. “Excellently stated,” one netizen commented. strong speech. Someone else said, “Shame on him.”
In response, someone else said, “This guy is crazy.” Completely out of touch [sic],” while another person said, “So disrespectful [sic].”
Supporting comments were also made, such as “Mr. DeNiro spoke very well.” We must fight back and treat this seriously. But criticism persisted, with one person saying, “He is a joke.”
Before the ceremony, De Niro talked about his feelings about being honored. “I have such close feelings for Festival de Cannes…” he said. “The Cannes Film Festival unites us as storytellers, filmmakers, fans, and friends, especially at a time when so much else is tearing us apart. It feels like home.
Tiffany Chen, his 45-year-old girlfriend, walked beside him on the red carpet. His daughter, Helen Grace, was also with the pair.
In December 2011, a surrogate gave birth to his daughter. People magazine was informed at the time by De Niro’s agent that he and his then-wife, Grace Hightower, had given birth to a daughter.
She is the second child of the ex-couple, following her older brother Elliot, and weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces at birth.
At the time of Helen’s birth, De Niro was also the father of four other children: twin sons Julian and Aaron, born through surrogacy with his ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith, and daughter Drena and son Raphael with his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott.
