Bruce Springsteen's furious rant at UK gig as he calls out 'treasonous' Donald Trump

Daily Record

15-05-2025

Rock icon Bruce Springsteen is still as fierce as ever as he took to the stage for the opening night of his 2025 Land of Hope and Dreams tour, and he took aim at the US government.
The lights dim and the unmistakable chants of 'Bruce' reverberate throughout the packed venue. Thousands of fans, spanning generations, fill the electric atmosphere, erupting into cheers as a rock legend takes centre stage. It's unmistakable when The Boss is in town.
Now 75, Bruce Springsteen's hair may be greyer, his wrinkles more defined, and his physique less rugged. Gone are the iconic sleeveless shirts and bandanas, replaced by a more refined waistcoat and tie.
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However, his determination to speak out against perceived injustices remains unwavering. The rock icon, renowned for his powerful and relatable lyrics, refuses to fade quietly into his later years.
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The opening night of his 2025 tour makes one thing clear - Bruce Springsteen is angry and frustrated with the state of his homeland. On a historic night for Manchester's Co-op Live arena, celebrating its first anniversary with its biggest star yet, the sold-out crowd quickly grasps Springsteen's message.
After introducing the E Street band's mission to "call upon the righteous power of music, art and rock and roll in dangerous times", he greets the audience, saying: "Good Evening! 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. 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!" It was fairly obvious who he was referring to.
As the concert continued, the powerful anthem Land of Hope and Dreams, which is also the namesake of his 16-date European tour, resonated throughout the venue – a gospel-inspired ballad deeply cherished by his fans and embodying the optimism Springsteen calls forth from the audience, now amplified through his live performance.
Springsteen, making an unmistakable statement, gesticulated emphatically towards the crowd, every guitar strum packed with added significance, and sang with a renewed fervour, his voice carrying the rough-edged timbre that has become a hallmark of his style over the years.
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Songs tinged with both fierce defiance and deep concern for his homeland started pouring out, one after another, showcasing that classic Springsteen might through songs like Death to My Hometown, Darkness on the Edge of Town and Promised Land.
While a few fan favourites like 'Hungry Heart' and 'Murder Incorporated' are part of the opening set, Springsteen, a staunch Democrat known for his liberal views, remains vocal about his concerns for the USA.
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"The last check, the last check on power after the checks and balances of government have failed are the people, you and me," he declared.
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"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 before performing a solo version of 'House of A Thousand Guitars'.
"There's some very weird, strange, and dangerous s**t 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."
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Springsteen went on: "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.
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"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."
He added: "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 a great people. So we'll survive this moment."
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"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."
Not many stars could get away with a performance that focuses so heavily on a foreign country's politics, but Springsteen has long built his rock-and-roll image and dedicated fanbase around being unapologetically candid and honest, which simply adds to his charm in the eyes of his audience.
Before the show, Springsteen shared that he still gets nervous, saying: "I'm always a little bit nervous on that first night, even after all this time," showing a humble side to his exceptional performance."