After Taylor Swift, Trump targets Bruce Springsteen calling him 'a pushy, obnoxious JERK'
POTUS Donald Trump fired back at Bruce Springsteen on Truth Social after the music icon denounced his presidency during a concert in Manchester, England.
Speaking to a packed European audience, Springsteen accused Trump of leading a 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration' and urged fans to stand up against authoritarianism and defend democratic values.
In response, Trump dismissed Springsteen as 'highly overrated' and slammed both his music and political views. 'Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics,' Trump wrote. 'Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden.' He continued, 'This dried out 'prune' of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country.'
-TruthSocial.
Springsteen, a longtime political activist, has endorsed Democratic candidates including Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. On tour, he emphasized that civic engagement remains the final safeguard for democracy: 'The last check on power after the checks and balances have failed, are the people,' he told the audience.
Trump's outburst follows a similar dig at Taylor Swift, who endorsed Harris during the 2024 campaign. On Truth Social, Trump posted: 'Has anyone noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?'' The comment was part of an ongoing pattern of Trump targeting celebrities who oppose him publicly.
While president Trump continues to clash with high-profile entertainers, both Springsteen and Swift remain among the most influential figures in their respective fields, using their platforms to advocate for political change.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Madleen to reach Gaza in 24h with aid in bold challenge to Israeli blockade
Listen to article Madleen, the humanitarian aid vessel aiming to break the Israeli blockade, has sailed off the Egyptian coast and is expected to reach Palestinian waters within a day. Swedish climate activists Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian member of the European parliament (MEP) Rima Hassan and 10 other international activists are on board the ship launched by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). In a post shared on Instagram, Rima Hassan stated, 'In 24 hours, we will arrive in Palestinian waters, illegally controlled and occupied by Israel.' She urged European governments to guarantee the vessel's safe passage, warning that any interception would violate international humanitarian law. German activist Yasemin Acar, speaking to AFP, confirmed that the group was sailing off Egypt's coast and that all members were in good health. The International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza, a flotilla coalition member, said it was in contact with legal and human rights bodies to ensure the safety of those aboard. The committee warned that interference with the vessel would constitute a breach of international law. Israel has declared that it will prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, labelling it a security threat. Past flotilla attempts to break the blockade on Gaza have typically been intercepted within approximately 100 nautical miles of the coast. Despite the risks, Hassan and the other activists remain committed to delivering humanitarian aid and drawing attention to the blockade. 'Targeting this mission would be a flagrant violation of international law,' Hassan said. The vessel is expected to approach the interception zone by Monday. The vessel aiming to break Israel's blockade Named after Gaza's first and only female fisherwoman, Madleen departed from Catania, Sicily, on June 1. Its voyage began just a month after another FFC ship, Conscience, was struck by Israeli drone attacks off Malta, forcing it to abort its mission. Launched in response to Israel's near-total ban on aid into Gaza since March 2, Madleen's mission highlights the growing humanitarian disaster in the besieged enclave. Aid agencies report that over 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents are suffering from severe food insecurity, with dozens of children reported dead from Madleen is expected to cover its 2,000km (1,250-mile) journey in about seven days, assuming it encounters no interruptions. To ensure transparency and safety, the vessel's location is being tracked in real time by Forensic Architecture and a Garmin GPS device installed onboard. As of June 4 at 04:00 GMT, the ship was located roughly 600km (375 miles) from Sicily. On Tuesday night, a surveillance drone was spotted circling the vessel around 68km (42 miles) from Greek territorial waters. The drone was later identified as a Hellenic Coastguard Heron, which has since moved away from the area. Gazans at risk of famine Roughly one in five Palestinians in Gaza is now experiencing starvation, as Israel's total blockade of the territory enters its third month. According to the latest findings by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), nearly 1.95m people—accounting for 93 percent of Gaza's population—are suffering from severe food insecurity. The IPC warns that the ongoing restrictions could cause 'further mass displacement' both within Gaza and across its governorates, as essential resources required for survival continue to run out. Efforts to address the crisis have faltered. A US-backed Israeli initiative known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was launched in May to manage aid delivery. However, its central distribution hub collapsed into disorder just hours after opening on May 27, and the situation has since worsened following fatal shootings near food aid sites. Israel stands accused of deliberately drawing Palestinians to these distribution points before opening fire. More than 100 people have reportedly been killed in such incidents over the past eight days. The humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding amid Israel's ongoing military campaign, which has, since October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of over 54,000 Palestinians. Madleen's crew As FFC continues its course toward Gaza, the 12 individuals onboard the Madleen are preparing for a potential standoff with Israeli forces, who have announced their intent to intercept the vessel. The ship's diverse group includes: Greta Thunberg, the well-known Swedish climate and social justice advocate. As @GretaThunberg makes her way to #Gaza aboard the 'Madleen,' the #FreedomFlotillaCoalition continues to honor the promise we made to the Palestinians in Gaza back in 2008: to sail until Israel's illegal siege is broken. Greta's powerful message reminds us that climate justice… — Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 6, 2025 Rima Hassan, French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament representing the La France Insoumise party. Omar Faiad, a French journalist with Al Jazeera, reporting on the voyage. Yanis Mhamdi, a reporter with French independent outlet Blast, also documenting the journey. Pascal Maurieras, a French activist and veteran of previous flotilla missions. Thiago Ávila, a Brazilian political activist and journalist, known for nearly 20 years of outspoken support for the Palestinian cause. Baptiste André, a French medical doctor onboard to provide care in the event of injuries during any confrontations. Yasemin Acar, a German activist of Kurdish heritage, who serves on the FFC's steering committee. Reva Viard, a climate activist from France. Suayb Ordu, an activist from Turkey. Sergio Toribio, a Spanish crew member affiliated with the marine conservation group Sea Shepherd. Marco Van Rennes, a Dutch student of marine engineering, serving as part of the ship's crew. Past attempts to break Gaza blockade highlight risks facing Madleen Over the years, several vessels have attempted to challenge Israel's maritime blockade of Gaza, often facing interception or violence: SS Liberty and Free Gaza (2008): In a historic first, two wooden ships from the Free Gaza Movement reached Gaza's port in August 2008, marking the first foreign docking in over four decades. The 44 activists aboard delivered hearing aids for children. Mavi Marmara (2010): On May 31, 2010, Israeli forces raided this Turkish-led aid flotilla in international waters. The operation left nine activists dead, including one with dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship. A tenth later died from injuries. Marianne (2015): The Israeli navy intercepted and boarded the Marianne roughly 100 nautical miles off Gaza on June 29, 2015, preventing its arrival. Akdeniz (2024): This ship was grounded in Turkey after its flag registration was reportedly revoked under diplomatic pressure. It had planned to carry 5,000 tonnes of aid and included participants from 40 countries, among them Mandla Mandela. Conscience (2025): Earlier this year, drones struck the Conscience before departure. The attack damaged the vessel's engine and hull, halting the mission in Malta. Notably, Greta Thunberg was among those due to board. These incidents underline the high political and physical stakes for the Madleen and its crew as they attempt to reach Gaza.
Business Recorder
4 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Trump's travel ban on 12 countries goes into effect early Monday
WASHINGTON:US President Donald Trump's order banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States goes into effect at 12:01 am ET (0401 GMT) on Monday, a move the president promulgated to protect the country from 'foreign terrorists.' The countries affected by the latest travel ban are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The entry of people from seven other countries - Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela - will be partially restricted. Trump, a Republican, said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbor a 'large-scale presence of terrorists,' fail to cooperate on visa security, have an inability to verify travelers' identities, as well as inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the United States. He cited last Sunday's incident in Boulder, Colorado, in which an Egyptian national tossed a gasoline bomb into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators as an example of why the new curbs are needed. But Egypt is not part of the travel ban. The travel ban forms part of Trump's policy to restrict immigration into the United States and is reminiscent of a similar move in his first term when he barred travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations. Officials and residents in countries whose citizens will soon be banned expressed dismay and disbelief. Chad President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said he had instructed his government to stop granting visas to U.S. citizens in response to Trump's action. Iran says US travel ban shows 'deep hostility' for Iranians, Muslims 'Chad has neither planes to offer nor billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and its pride,' he said in a Facebook post, referring to countries such as Qatar, which gifted the U.S. a luxury airplane for Trump's use and promised to invest billions of dollars in the U.S. Afghans who worked for the U.S. or U.S.-funded projects and were hoping to resettle in the U.S. expressed fear that the travel ban would force them to return to their country, where they could face reprisal from the Taliban. Democratic U.S. lawmakers also voiced concern about the policies. 'Trump's travel ban on citizens from over 12 countries is draconian and unconstitutional,' said U.S. Representative Ro Khanna on social media late on Thursday. 'People have a right to seek asylum.'
Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Trump deploys National Guard to LA as immigration raids spark protests
Listen to article US President Donald Trump's administration said it would deploy 2,000 National Guard troops on Saturday as federal agents in Los Angeles faced off against a few hundred demonstrators during a second day of protests following immigration raids. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the Pentagon was prepared to mobilize active-duty troops "if violence continues" in Los Angeles, saying the Marines at nearby Camp Pendleton were "on high alert." Federal security agents on Saturday confronted protesters in the Paramount area in southeast Los Angeles, where some demonstrators displayed Mexican flags. A second protest in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday night attracted some 60 people, who chanted slogans including "ICE out of L.A.!" Trump signed a presidential memorandum to deploy the National Guard troops to "address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester," the White House said in a statement. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told Fox News that the National Guard would be deployed in Los Angeles on Saturday. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the decision "purposefully inflammatory." He posted on X that Trump was deploying the National Guard "not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle," adding: "Don't give them one. Never use violence. Speak out peacefully." Newsom said it was "deranged behavior" for Hegseth to be "threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens." Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that if Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass can't do their jobs "then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!" The protests pit Democratic-run Los Angeles, where census data suggests a significant portion of the population is Hispanic and foreign-born, against Trump's Republican White House, which has made cracking down on immigration a hallmark of his second term. Violent insurrection "Insurrectionists carrying foreign flags are attacking immigration enforcement officers, while one half of America's political leadership has decided that border enforcement is evil," Vice President JD Vance posted on X late on Saturday. Senior White House aide Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner, described the protests as a "violent insurrection." The administration has not invoked the Insurrection Act, two U.S. officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity. One said that National Guard troops can deploy quickly, within 24 hours in some cases, and that the military was working to source the 2,000 troops. The 1807 law empowers a president to deploy the U.S. military to enforce the law and suppress events like civil disorder. The last time it was invoked was during the 1992 Los Angeles riots at the request of the California governor. Video footage of the Paramount protest showed dozens of green-uniformed security personnel with gas masks at the Paramount protest, lined up on a road strewn with overturned shopping carts as small canisters exploded into gas clouds. Authorities began detaining some protesters, according to Reuters witnesses. Los Angeles police posted on X that "multiple people have been detained for failing to disperse after multiple warnings were issued." It did not give further details. There was no official information of any arrests. "Now they know that they cannot go to anywhere in this country where our people are, and try to kidnap our workers, our people - they cannot do that without an organized and fierce resistance," said protester Ron Gochez, 44. A first round of protests kicked off on Friday night after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted enforcement operations in the city and arrested at least 44 people on alleged immigration violations. The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that there were about "1,000 rioters" at the protests on Friday. Reuters could not verify DHS's account. Angelica Salas, executive director of immigrants' rights organization Chirla, said lawyers had not had access to those detained on Friday, which she called "very worrying." Trump's immigration crackdown Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of people in the country illegally and lock down the US -Mexico border, with the White House setting a goal for ICE to arrest at least 3,000 migrants per day. But the sweeping immigration crackdown has also caught up people legally residing in the country, including some with permanent residence, and has led to legal challenges. ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Los Angeles Police Department did not respond to requests for comment on the protests or whether there had been any immigration raids on Saturday. Television news footage on Friday showed unmarked vehicles resembling military transport and vans loaded with uniformed federal agents streaming through Los Angeles streets as part of the immigration enforcement operation. Raids occurred around Home Depot stores, where street vendors and day laborers were picked up, as well as at a garment factory and a warehouse, Salas of Chirla said. Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, condemned the immigration raids. "I am deeply angered by what has taken place," Bass said in a statement. "These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. We will not stand for this."
