Latest news with #LandofHopesandDreams
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Hey, Bruce: The Democrats long ago abandoned the American workers of your lyrics — like roadkill
Bruce Springsteen hates Donald Trump. In other news, water is wet. Last week, The Boss kicked off his 'Land of Hopes & Dreams Tour' in Manchester, England, by raging against our 47th president. '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 treacherous government,' he said onstage about Jill and Joe Biden. Advertisement I kid, of course. 8 Bruce Springsteen released an EP, recorded at a recent tour stop in Manchester, England, where he ranted against Donald Trump. 'They are persecuting people for using their right to free speech and voicing their dissent,' Springsteen continued. 'They're abandoning our great allies and siding with dictators.' Advertisement How amusing. Imagine having so many electrifying hits and so many fans of so many political stripes — and opting to play bombs from your Trump Derangement Syndrome catalog. Why perform 'Jungleland' for the adoring masses when you can play the soliloquy 'Orange Man Bad' for yourself? 8 Springsteen and President Obama have long been buddies and even did a podcast together. Getty Images And then, voila, on Wednesday he went and dropped an actual TDS EP, 'Land of Hopes and Dreams.' It features four live songs plus his Manchester Trump condemnation. Advertisement How stunningly brave to lob missiles at the president from England, a country literally jailing people over social media posts. But never mind all that. As WFAN producer Al Dukes — a self-described 'huge fan' of Springsteen — noted on X, the singer wouldn't dare get up on stage in the United States and take precious minutes from a performance with an anti-Trump rant, because he'd get booed back to the swamps of Jersey. 8 Bruce Springsteen endorsed Kamala Harris in a video and also played one of her campaign rallies. Kamala Harris/ YouTube Springsteen has long been a slobbering sycophant for anyone with the letter D next to their name. After sucking up to Obama for years, he threw his support behind the incompetent Kamala Harris and was on the roster of clueless celebrities who performed or spoke at her rallies. Advertisement But he doesn't usually do political messaging on stage for paying customers, which is a sound policy. It's also one that's kept me, a righty who has always had to separate the artists from the art, coming back. Born and raised near the Jersey Shore — Springsteen's primordial soup — I was only 7 when I first saw him live. Since then, I've given The Boss more money than I want to admit. There's been many concerts, albums and concert albums. While living lavishly on his tony Colts Neck spread, the iconic singer is still known for popping into local bars and working out at crappy chain gyms. 8 Back in October, Springsteen performed during a Kamala Harris rally. AFP via Getty Images Yet he's clearly not speaking with real people on those field trips. His party policed speech, glorified identity politics and let scores of criminals into the country. Voters have rejected the elitism he truly champions under his blue-collar costume. Enough with the A-listers preaching to us little people from their private jets and mansions, they said. Perhaps Springsteen is too busy texting Obama, but he's failed to notice that even his beloved Garden State has increasingly become red. Advertisement Harris beat Trump by only 5 points — a whopping 10-point drop from Biden's victory in 2020. 8 Donald Trump responded to Springsteen's screed with this video of him hitting a golf ball… Donald Trump/ X 8 …which then appeared to bean Springsteen on the back, toppling. Donald Trump/ X The Democrats long ago abandoned the American workers of Springsteen lyrics like road kill, and still view them as vile, stinky creatures, not valuable constituents. Advertisement Yet The Boss is still carrying water for the party that has subverted democracy for the last three presidential elections — a party that propped up a decaying old man so a shadow administration could govern. And he wants to lecture the side that said No to all that? Spare me all the peace, love and inclusion. A guy who never did a lick of labor but built his entire career on the lore of the grizzled working man, Springsteen remains stunningly out of touch with the temperature of the country. Advertisement 8 Obama presented the singer the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. AFP via Getty Images He claims to be for the common man, but he's hopelessly partisan. Just ask poor old sad superfan Chris Christie, who begged for his idol's love for years but was always rebuffed — and skewered — by Springsteen because of party affiliation. Meanwhile, Trump — a man not blessed with the gift of restraint — of course took the bait. The president unloaded on X, writing, 'I see that Highly Overrated Bruce Springsteen goes to a Foreign Country to speak badly about the President of the United States. Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he's not a talented guy — Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country.' Advertisement 8 Bruce Springsteen is a steadfast supporter of all things Democrat, but he is particularly close with Obama. Getty Images Then he shared a video of himself swinging a club and the ball appearing to hit Springsteen on the back and knock him over. It was unpresidential … but also funny. And, unintentionally, a nod to how ridiculous this bonfire of the boomer egos truly is. Next time, Bruce, spare us the lecture. Stick to the hits.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Obnoxious jerk' Bruce Springsteen deepens Donald Trump rift on his final night in Manchester
Bruce Springsteen told a Manchester audience he wants to be an ambassador for America. As he stood in the spotlight at the Co-op Live venue last night he asked: "Manchester are you ready for round three?" He then repeated his belief that his country was in "dangerous times" which put at risk its liberty of more than 200 years as his beef with President Donald Trump continued. READ MORE: The North Wales beach that looks like it's in South Africa with a pub by the sand READ MORE: The stunning canalside pub with a boat inside the bar The legendary singer was branded "an obnoxious jerk" and "dried out prune of a rocker" who "should keep his mouth shut" by Trump after he criticised his policies with fiery speeches from the stage in Manchester at his first two shows. The Boss fired another shot of rhetoric last night, saying: "When the conditions are ripe for a demagogue you can be sure they will turn up." In his final night in the city on his Land of Hopes and Dreams tour, he said he had spent his life being an ambassador for America but said things were happening which threatened his country's democracy. He said: "We are persecuting people for using their right to free speech. They are rolling back historic civil rights legislation, defunding universities... this is all happening now." His conclusion was it was due to an "unfit president". He added: "They have no idea what it means to be deeply American - the country I have sung about for 50 years." His set began with a ferocious version of "No Surrender" followed by "Land of Hope and Dreams" in which his vocals roared but never cracked, as if stirred by what was happening in his homeland. "Death In My Hometown" continued the theme then the surging huge sound of "Seeds" - another tale of economic struggle - exploded with nifty guitar from Nils Lofgren. There was a rare outing for "Something in The Night" from the classic Darkness on the Edge of Town album. From the same album he delivered "Promised Land" with a piano break to make even Salford's toughest weep. You could visualise the metaphor of gloom - "a dark cloud rising form the desert floor". But the song, which explores hope, resilience, and the fight for a better life is and was ultimately exhilarating. From the acoustic "Nebraska" album the track "Reason To Believe" got the full E-Street Band treatment and was transformed into a tour-de-force. The wonderful "River" ended with an entrancing soft Sprinsteen howl. A scorching "Long Way Home" seemed to again frame his angst towards Trump, and at the end of it he told us: "The last check on power is people - you and me. At the end of the day, we a have got each other." An acoustic take on the electric rave-up "House of 1000 Guitars" meant the line "The criminal clown has stolen the throne" was crystal clear. Badlands always triggers a crowd eruption from the pit to the seats far from the stage. Last night was no excpetion. My legs as well as my scalp was tingling - a sensation you are unlikely to feel at a MAGA hoe-down. The lights went on for thunderous versions of Born In The USA; Glory Days; and Dancing In The Dark - a recipe to unstrap joy - which is what Springsteen sells.
Global News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
Donald Trump escalates feud with Bruce Springsteen, calls for investigation
U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his feud with Bruce Springsteen over the long weekend, calling for a 'major investigation' into the rock legend after Springsteen branded the Trump administration as 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous' during a concert in England last week. Early Monday, as Trump was preparing to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he took to Truth Social to post a lengthy, all-caps screed against Springsteen and other Hollywood A-listers who endorsed Kamala Harris during last year's presidential election. 'HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT?' Trump wrote online, in a message published in the middle of the night. 'WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS? ISN'T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? WHAT ABOUT BEYONCÉ? … AND HOW MUCH WENT TO OPRAH, AND BONO???' Story continues below advertisement 'I am going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren't allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment,' the president continued in his rant. 'In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds. IT'S NOT LEGAL! For these unpatriotic 'entertainers,' this was just a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system.' @realDonaldTrump / Truth Social He didn't stop there, however. Nearly eight hours later, he returned to the subject. 'According to news reports, Beyoncé was paid $11,000,000 to walk onto a stage, quickly ENDORSE KAMALA, and walk off to loud booing for never having performed, NOT EVEN ONE SONG!' he wrote. 'Remember, the Democrats and Kamala illegally paid her millions of Dollars for doing nothing other than giving Kamala a full throated ENDORSEMENT. Story continues below advertisement Switching back to all-caps, he concluded: 'THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ELECTION SCAM AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL! IT IS AN ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION! BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, OPRAH, BONO AND, PERHAPS, MANY OTHERS, HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!' @realDonaldTrump / Truth Socila None of Trump's claims have been substantiated. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Springsteen, a longtime opponent of the president, stood up as one of Trump's most prominent cultural critics last week with a verbal takedown from a British stage. He told a Manchester audience that he believes Trump is 'unfit' for the Oval Office. While introducing his and the E Street Band's song Land of Hopes and Dreams, after which his current tour is named, the 75-year-old 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.' Story continues below advertisement '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. So at the end of the day, all we've got is each other,' Springsteen continued later in the show. In reply, Trump later bashed The Boss as 'Highly Overrated' and 'not a talented guy.' 'I see that Highly Overrated Bruce Springsteen goes to a Foreign Country to speak badly about the President of the United States,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he's not a talented guy.' Story continues below advertisement He went on to accuse Springsteen of being a 'pushy, obnoxious JERK' and 'dumb as a rock,' before zeroing in on his appearance. '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,' the president wrote, seeming to threaten Springsteen with consequences when he returns to U.S. soil. 'Then we'll all see how it goes for him!' Springsteen endorsed Harris last fall, about a month before the election, suggesting Trump should have been disqualified from running due to his 'disdain for the sanctity of our constitution, the sanctity of democracy, the sanctity of the rule of law, and the sanctity of the peaceful transfer of power.' Springsteen isn't new to this game It's not the first time Springsteen has spoken out against Trump — or a Republican president. When former president Ronald Reagan referenced Springsteen's 'message of hope' at a campaign stop during the height of the rocker's Born in the USA popularity, Springsteen wondered if Reagan had listened to his music and its references to those left behind in the 1980s economy. He also has had an occasionally bumpy relationship with one-time Republican presidential candidate and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, a fan of his music. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of 'The Land of Hopes and Dreams' tour at Co-op Live on May 14, 2025, in Manchester, England. Shirlaine Forrest / Getty Images Springsteen has campaigned for Trump's opponents, including Harris last fall. In 2020, he said that 'a good portion of our fine country, to my eye, has been thoroughly hypnotized, brainwashed by a con man from Queens.' He knows the outer borough reference still stung a man who built a tower in Manhattan and ascended to the presidency. Trump often stays at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Springsteen grew up in New Jersey and lives in Colts Neck, N.J. During his career, Springsteen has challenged his audience politically beyond presidential endorsements. The 1995 album The Ghost of Tom Joad bluntly documented the lives of struggling immigrants — Mexican and Vietnamese among them. And his 2001 song American Skin (41 Shots), criticized the shooting by New York City police officers of an unarmed Guinean immigrant named Amadou Diallo, angering some of the blue-collar segments of his fan base. Story continues below advertisement — With files from Global News' Rachel Goodman and The Associated Press
Newsweek
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Bruce Springsteen Speaks Out Again After Trump's 'Dried-Out Prune' Jibe
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Bruce Springsteen has spoken out against the White House again after President Donald Trump called him a "dried-out prune" on social media. Speaking in Manchester, England, the musician criticized the government for the second time during his Land of Hopes and Dreams tour, despite Trump previously biting back. Why It Matters Springsteen is an influential figure who has released 21 studio albums over the past few decades. The 75-year-old musician has previously endorsed Democratic candidates including former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden and ahead of the 2024 presidential election described Trump as the "most dangerous candidate for president" in his lifetime. Tensions between Springsteen and Trump started when the rocker denounced the administration in the opening remarks of his tour in Manchester on Wednesday night, resulting in the president lashing out in response. Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of "The Land of Hopes and Dreams" tour on May 14, 2025, in Manchester, England. Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of "The Land of Hopes and Dreams" tour on May 14, 2025, in Manchester, England. Photo byWhat To Know "Tonight we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voice against authoritarianism and let freedom ring," Springsteen said on Wednesday. He also referenced Trump's deportations and said America was "persecuting people for using their right to free speech and voicing their dissent." He said Trump was "an unfit president" who was in charge of "a rogue government" that was "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous." In response, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social and called Springsteen "a pushy, obnoxious JERK" and a "dried-out 'prune' of a rocker." Springsteen spoke out again after Trump's social media post, saying that events in America "are altering the very nature of our country's democracy." "In my home, they're persecuting people for their right to free speech and voicing their dissent. That's happening now," Springsteen said. "In America, the richest men are taking satisfaction in abandoning the world's poorest children to sickness and death. That's happening now. In my country, they're taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers." He added that authorities were "removing residents off American streets without due process" and that elected officials had "utterly failed to protect the American people from the abuses of an unfit president and a rogue government." What People Are Saying President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "Sleepy Joe didn't have a clue as to what he was doing, but Springsteen is 'dumb as a rock,' and couldn't see what was going on, or could he (which is even worse!)? 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, that's just 'standard fare.' Then we'll all see how it goes for him!" Republican California Governor candidate Steve Hilton wrote on X: "I may not have been 'born in the USA' like Bruce Springsteen, but I moved here and became an American by choice. So I'm disgusted to see him running around England criticizing our country. Maybe he should stay there!" What Happens Next Springsteen's tour is scheduled to run until July and will see him play 16 shows across six European countries.
Global News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
‘Dumb as a rock': Trump fires back at ‘obnoxious jerk' Bruce Springsteen
Donald Trump fired back at rocker Bruce Springsteen on Friday, using his familiar approach to dealing with people he doesn't like — hurling insults on social media and going after their physical appearance. The president of the United States, upset with being name-dropped and criticized by the rock and roll icon at one of his recent concerts, bashed The Boss as 'Highly Overrated' and 'not a talented guy.' 'I see that Highly Overrated Bruce Springsteen goes to a Foreign Country to speak badly about the President of the United States,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he's not a talented guy.' He went on to accuse Springsteen of being a 'pushy, obnoxious JERK' and 'dumb as a rock,' before zeroing in on his appearance. Story continues below advertisement '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,' the president wrote, seeming to threaten Springsteen with consequences when he returns to U.S. soil. 'Then we'll all see how it goes for him!' Trump's issue with Springsteen stems from earlier this week, after the artist issued some scathing remarks for the president, saying he believes Trump is 'unfit' for the Oval Office. 0:56 Bruce Springsteen calls Trump administration 'corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous' during UK concert While introducing his and the E Street Band's song Land of Hopes and Dreams, after which his current tour is named, the 75-year-old 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.' Story continues below advertisement '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,' he told the crowd in Manchester, England. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He didn't stop there; throughout the night, he sprinkled the show with criticism of Trump and his administration. Before playing House of a Thousand Guitars, he said: '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. So at the end of the day, all we've got is each other.' Before performing My City of Ruins, he delivered a longer monologue: '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,' he said. View image in full screen Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band perform during the first night of his 'The Land of Hopes and Dreams' tour at Co-op Live on May 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. Shirlaine Forrest / Getty Images He drilled down on his issues with Trump's administration inflicting pain on 'loyal' American workers, trampling over entrenched civil rights and making enemies of storied allies while shaking hands with dictators. Story continues below advertisement '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 said to a packed auditorium. Springsteen has long been close friends with Barack and Michelle Obama, after forming close ties during Obama's first presidential campaign in 2008. As USA Today notes, Trump invoked the Born in the U.S.A. singer's name at a campaign rally in Springsteen's home state of New Jersey last year. 'I love these Saturday evenings. Is there anything better than a Trump rally?' Trump said from the stage at the time. 'If some of these wackos came along, you know, these liberal singers, they'd actually vote for me. You know they'd all vote for me. You know, like Bruce Springsteen. We have a much bigger crowd than Bruce Springsteen. Right?' 3:54 Trump takes a jab at Taylor Swift during Philadelphia Eagles White House visit Springsteen wasn't the only musician to spark ire from Trump on Friday; he also attempted to resurrect his feud with Taylor Swift, going after the billionaire pop star in a Truth Social post just minutes before his Springsteen missive. Story continues below advertisement 'Has anyone noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?'' Trump wrote. — With files from Global News' Rachel Goodman
