Bruce Springsteen calls out Trump’s administration as 'corrupt and treasonous' in European tour opener
Bruce Springsteen criticized President Donald Trump’s administration as “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous” during the E Street Band’s concert in Manchester, urging fans to resist authoritarianism through music.
Bruce Springsteen kicked off the E Street Band’s 2025 European tour on May 14 at Manchester’s Co-op Live with a powerful political statement, condemning the Trump administration as “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous.”
He urged his fans to speak out against authoritarianism and honor democracy by embracing the power of music.
Bruce Springsteen opens European tour with fiery criticism of Trump
The E Street Band is currently on its European tour and Bruce Springsteen is joining them as their opener. While Springsteen traditionally refrains from talking about political issues directly on stage, this time it was not the occasion.
Before performing the first song of the night, “The Land of Hope and Dreams,” Springsteen talked about the situation in the United States. He expressed sadness over the fact that the America he has "written about, which has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years," is, according to him, "in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration." He ended his speech by asking the fans to raise their voices against authoritarianism.
Springsteen’s message: Music as a weapon against authoritarianism
“The Land of Hope and Dreams,” was not the only song Springsteen dedicated to the Trump administration. "Rainmaker" made its live debut yesterday, the 2020 song from the album “Letter to You,” talks about desperate people in a drought waiting for relief. He dedicated the song to "our dear leader".
Additionally, a cover of Bob Dylan's “Chimes of Freedom” was performed at the end of the show. Springsteen closed the show saying “Take this home with you.”
