Bruce Springsteen slams 'corrupt' Donald Trump in brutal speech on first night of UK gig
Bruce Springsteen is currently in the UK as part of his Letter To You tour and has brutalised President Trump in an off-the-cuff speech
Music icon Bruce Springsteen launched a damning critique against US President Donald Trump as he kicked off the opening night of his UK tour on Wednesday (May 14).
Manchester has been swept up in Springsteen-fever, with the 'Born to Run' hitmaker's enthusiasts queuing outside the Co-op Arena for days, eager to score an autograph from their idol. One devoted fan had even been queuing since Friday, despite having already seen 'the Boss' 101 times before.
The singer-songwriter, 75, is in the UK for his ongoing Letter to You tour, which has seen him take on 130 shows across North America and Europe, with an estimated box office total of £475 million.
As the lights faded on Wednesday night and frenzied applause filled the air, Springsteen said that it was 'great to be back in Manchester', warmly greeting the packed arena at the commencement of his tour. In his introduction, the Manchester Evening News reports he stated that the E Street Band had come forth 'to call upon the righteous power of music, art and rock and roll in dangerous times' amidst turmoil in the USA.
An advocate of progressive causes, Springsteen has consistently thrown his support behind Democratic presidential candidates over time.
Under the beams of a single spotlight, Springsteen went on to say: "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."
With conviction, he continued: "Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American spirit, to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism, and let freedom reign."
The potent tirade quickly garnered attention on X, with one fan posting: "Wow #BruceSpringsteen Bruce Springsteen just battered Trump unbelievable moment at start of Manchester tour."
The American legend, famed for chart-toppers such as Born in the USA and Dancing In The Dark, is set to perform alongside the E Street band at the venue on May 14, 17 and 20, with additional dates in Liverpool scheduled for early June. He's also slated to play a series of gigs in France, Germany, Spain and Italy in the upcoming months.
The announcement of the shows was met with immense excitement as fans rushed to secure tickets for the European concerts. Over the weekend, music enthusiasts flocked to Manchester city centre hoping to spot the singer, who is currently residing at Gary Neville's Stock Exchange Hotel.
On Saturday, fortunate fans managed to snap photos with Springsteen as he autographed vinyl records and memorabilia on Sussex Street. The rock icon appeared cheerful as he posed for pictures and exchanged a few words with the gathered crowd before being ushered away by security personnel.
The 75 year old, lauded by Rolling Stone as 'the embodiment of rock and roll', has released 21 studio albums, including his 1973 debut Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ and his latest work, Only the Strong Survive, from 2022.
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