Fact Check: Photos 'proving' Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen performed together after Trump's attacks taken in separate locations
Claim:
Musicians Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift performed on stage together in "defiance" of U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticized them on Truth Social.
Rating:
In May 2025, a Facebook post claimed popular musicians Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift performed together in a concert after U.S. President Donald Trump targeted them for criticism. Trump had written a series of posts about them on his official Truth Social account.
Trump's attacks prompted Facebook posts in mid-May 2025 from accounts like Rock N' Roll Mania and Rock & Roll Universe claiming that Springsteen and Swift banded together in a performance in "defiance" of his criticisms. The posts stated:
When Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift took the stage together, it wasn't just a duet—it was a statement. As the two icons stood shoulder to shoulder, the arena erupted in thunderous applause, drowning out the noise of viral criticism that had trailed them online. Backed by the full force of the US Musicians Union, who declared their "solidarity" with the artists, this moment became about more than music—it was about unity, defiance, and respect for artistry. Fans wept, cheered, and held up signs reading "We Stand With You," turning the performance into a powerful rebuke of negativity. In that electric moment, Swift and Springsteen didn't just sing—they roared back with grace, grit, and soul.....full video below
(Facebook user Rock & Roll Universe)
The post on Rock & Roll Universe had more than 140,000 reactions and more than 7000 comments as of this writing. In the comments for both posts, the same accounts linked to articles on websites called newsanchor360 and karkpost that automatically redirected us to advertisements and unrelated pages.
Swift and Springsteen did not perform a concert together in response to Trump's criticisms or for any other reason. The photographs in the above post don't show a real concert where they were onstage at the same time, but rather show the singers performing on separate occasions, including one of Swift performing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in November 2023, and two of Springsteen performing in November 2022 and April 2023. As such, we rate this claim as false.
A simple search of major newspapers and magazines showed that Springsteen and Swift did not perform together in the aftermath of Trump's comments. Had they performed together as an act of "defiance," it would have made headline news. The claim originated from a Facebook page known for posting incorrect stories and AI-generated images of famous musicians.
The articles on newsanchor360 and karkpost also didn't provide video footage of this so-called "performance," linking instead to clips of Springsteen and Swift on different occasions.
One of the clips was from Springsteen's concert from May 14, 2025, in Manchester, United Kingdom. In it, Springsteen said:
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!
The newsanchor360 and karkpost articles also linked to a YouTube video of Swift performing a cover of Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark." The two artists have long expressed admiration for one another. Like Springsteen, Swift has also been critical of Trump. Before the 2020 elections, she wrote on X: "After stoking the fires of white supremacy and racism your entire presidency, you have the nerve to feign moral superiority before threatening violence? 'When the looting starts the shooting starts'??? We will vote you out in November."
On May 16, 2025, Trump wrote a post on Truth Social calling Springsteen "a pushy, obnoxious JERK" and a "dried out prune of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied)," adding the rock star should keep his mouth shut until he reenters the country. In a separate May 16 post, he wrote: "Has anyone noticed that, since I said "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT," she's no longer "HOT?"
On May 19, Trump criticized Springsteen again, this time for his support of Trump's Democratic opponent in the 2024 election, former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris: "HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT? WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS? ISN'T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION?"
One thing the newsanchor360 and karkpost articles reported correctly was that the American Federation of Musicians labor union stood by Swift and Springsteen in the face of Trump's condemnation. The union wrote in a statement on May 16:
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada will not remain silent as two of our members—Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift—are singled out and personally attacked by the President of the United States. Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift are not just brilliant musicians, they are role models and inspirations to millions of people in the United States and across the world. Whether it's Born in the USA or the Eras Tour, their music is timeless, impactful, and has deep cultural meaning. Musicians have the right to freedom of expression, and we stand in solidarity with all our members.
Angermiller, Michele Amabile. "Bruce Springsteen Invites Taylor Swift to Guest on Tour: 'She's Welcome on E Street Anytime.'" Variety, 15 Nov. 2022, https://variety.com/2022/music/news/bruce-springsteen-taylor-swift-fallon-1235432967/. Accessed 20 May 2025.
"Bruce Springsteen Postpones 8 September Shows over Health Issue." NBC News, 7 Sept. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/bruce-springsteen-postpones-8-september-shows-health-issue-rcna103800. Accessed 20 May 2025.
"'Dried out Prune'? 'Corrupt' and 'Incompetent'? It's Getting Nasty between Springsteen and Trump." AP News, 20 May 2025, https://apnews.com/article/springsteen-trump-politics-new-jersey-3bbeb077e9e5de03f9d47c2121933f26. Accessed 20 May 2025.
"Every Taylor Swift Moment on the "Ellen" Show." The Ellen Show, 10 June 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=Ah1KFM0DgMqQQSk7&t=4633&v=nfgspIW3V3M&feature=youtu.be. Accessed 20 May 2025.
Ibrahim, Nur. "Taylor Swift Endorsed Trump in These Viral Images?" Snopes, 19 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/taylor-swift-endorsed-trump/. Accessed 20 May 2025.
Kreps, Daniel. "See Bruce Springsteen Deliver Rousing 'Turn Back the Hands of Time' on 'Fallon.'" Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2022, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bruce-springsteen-turn-back-the-hands-of-time-fallon-1234631741/. Accessed 20 May 2025.
"Land of Hope and Dreams." Bruce Springsteen, 14 May 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZHWIYHlXOs. Accessed 20 May 2025.
"Statement from AFM International President on Trump Attacking Members Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift." American Federation of Musicians, 16 May 2025, https://www.afm.org/2025/05/afm-statement-on-trump-attacking-members-bruce-springsteen-and-taylor-swift/. Accessed 20 May 2025.
"Taylor Swift Asks Fans Not to Throw Things on Stage During Argentina Eras Tour Show: 'It Really Freaks Me Out'." People.Com, https://people.com/taylor-swift-asks-fans-not-to-throw-things-on-stage-8401134. Accessed 20 May 2025.
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