Bruce Springsteen has been known as one of the originators of the heartland rock style of music, combining mainstream rock musical style with narrative songs about working class American life. His remarkable career has spanned six decades and counting.
One of his most influential songs, Born in the USA, is a form of protest hidden in the style of a national or patriotic anthem. In fact, it aimed to criticize how the American system mistreats certain groups, particularly military veterans and working-class people. The song was born in 1984, during Ronald Raegan’s administration.
During his latest show in Manchester, May 14, Bruce Springsteen expressed strong feelings against Donald Trump and his administration.
“It’s great to be in Manchester and back in the UK. Welcome to the Land of Hope and Dreams Tour! The mighty E St. Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ‘n roll in dangerous times,” he addressed the crowd.
“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. 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!”
Before performing House of a Thousand Guitars, the singer who has criticized Trump in the past, went on another fiery rant. “The last check, the last check on power after the checks and balances of government have failed are the people, you and me. It’s in the union of people around a common set of values now that’s all that stands between a democracy and authoritarianism. At the end of the day, all we’ve got is each other,” he said.
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Springsteen’s final political statement of the evening came as he introduced City of Ruin.
“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.
He added: “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.”
Before singing of his city of ruin, Bruce Springsteen preaches of what is happening back home. He pulls no punches in a harsh sermon. This is part one of two on May 14, 2025 in Manchester. Papa preach. pic.twitter.com/TIZwERP37S
— The Unspin Room (@UnspinRoom) May 14, 2025
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“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 l’ve sung to you about for 50 years is real and regardless of its faults is a great country with a 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.”
This criticism echoes Robert De Niro‘s comment at the Cannes Film Festival, where he also condemned Trump’s policies and urged action to defend democracy.
Bruce Springsteen publicly endorsed Kamala Harris.
The singer is currently on tour with Land of Hope and Dreams. His next stop is France.
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