Darren Lyn
22 May 2025•Update: 22 May 2025
HOUSTON, United States
American rock icon Bruce Springsteen released a live album Tuesday criticizing US President Donald Trump and his administration, drawing a sharp response from the president in their longstanding feud.
The Land of Hopes and Dreams album was recorded during Springsteen's May 14 concert in Manchester, England. During his on-stage speech to the crowd, Springsteen accused Trump, without naming him, of leading an authoritarian government.
"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," said Springsteen, 74, also known as the Boss.
"The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ‘n’ roll, in dangerous times," the rock music legend continued. "We ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experience to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism, and let freedom ring."
Trump, 78, wasted no time in responding, posting an edited video on his social media account showing the president hitting a golf ball that appears to strike Springsteen during a performance, causing the musician to fall on stage.
The rift has simmered for years between Trump and Springsteen, an outspoken supporter of Democratic presidential candidates including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris.
"He's such a flagrant, toxic narcissist that he wants to take down the entire democratic system with him...he simply has no sense of decency, no sense of responsibility," Springsteen said in an interview during last year's presidential election, in which he endorsed Harris.
"Donald Trump is the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime. 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 should disqualify him from the office of president ever again," he said at the time. "He doesn't understand the meaning of this country, its history or what it means to be deeply American."
Trump has minced no words in expressing his disdain for Springsteen.
"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," Trump recently posted on social media.
Springsteen’s album remarks include blistering criticism of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration, civil rights and freedom of speech.
"In America, they are persecuting people for using their right to free speech and voicing their dissent," said Springsteen. "In America, the richest men are taking satisfaction in abandoning the world's poorest children to sickness and death."
"A majority of our elected representatives have failed to protect the American people from the abuses of an unfit president and a rogue government," he continued. "They have no concern or idea of what it means to be deeply American. The America that I've sung to you about for 50 years is real, and regardless of its faults, is a great country with a great people."
