Bruce Springsteen didn’t hold back during a Thursday night performance in London, tearing into former President Donald Trump with a fiery onstage takedown. The rock legend called Trump “unfit” and “incompetent,” accusing his administration of corruption and treasonous behavior. The remarks, delivered to a packed crowd at the O2 Arena, sparked a wave of reactions from fans and critics alike, reigniting debates about celebrities wading into politics. With Springsteen’s history of vocal opposition to Trump, the moment felt like a raw, unfiltered chapter in their long-running feud.
The comments came midway through Springsteen’s set, as he paused to address the audience between songs. According to concertgoers, he spoke with the same passion that fuels his music, labeling Trump a danger to American values. “This guy doesn’t get what this country’s about,” Springsteen said, per accounts shared on social media. “He’s corrupt, incompetent, and his actions were treasonous.” The crowd roared, some cheering, others booing, reflecting the polarized response that has followed the singer’s political outspokenness for years. Posts on social media captured the moment, with clips circulating widely by Friday morning.
Springsteen’s history with Trump stretches back, most notably to 2024 when he called the then-candidate a “tyrant” who misunderstood America’s core. His latest remarks echo that sentiment, doubling down at a time when Trump’s influence remains a lightning rod. The UK show, part of Springsteen’s ongoing European tour with the E Street Band, wasn’t billed as a political rally, but the 75-year-old New Jersey native has never shied from speaking his mind. Sources close to the tour say the comments were impromptu, sparked by recent headlines about Trump’s policy proposals, though specifics weren’t mentioned onstage.
The context here matters. Springsteen’s working-class anthems have long championed the underdog, and his politics lean hard left. He’s backed Democratic candidates for decades, from John Kerry to Joe Biden, and his criticism of Trump aligns with a broader cultural clash. Trump, meanwhile, has dismissed Springsteen’s attacks, once joking at a 2020 rally that “The Boss” wouldn’t fill a high school gym. The former president’s supporters were quick to fire back this time, with social media posts urging Springsteen to “stick to singing.” One user, @ChuckThePhoenix, summed up the sentiment: “That’s what you do well; politics, you do not.”
Reactions poured in fast. Fans at the show described the moment as electric, with one social media post calling it “vintage Bruce, speaking truth to power.” Others weren’t impressed, accusing him of preaching to a choir of like-minded fans. “Why drag politics into a concert?” another user posted. Across the Atlantic, U.S. commentators weighed in, with some cable news pundits framing it as a sign of Hollywood and music elites being out of touch. No official response came from Trump’s camp by press time, though his team has historically brushed off such critiques as irrelevant.
The incident raises questions about the role of artists in polarized times. Springsteen’s not alone—stars like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish have taken political stands, often facing backlash. Yet his platform, built on decades of storytelling through songs like “Born to Run” and “The River,” gives his words weight for many. Critics argue he risks alienating fans, especially in a country as divided as the U.S., where Trump’s base remains fiercely loyal. Supporters, though, see it as a moral stand, consistent with his music’s themes of justice and struggle.
What’s next is anyone’s guess. Springsteen’s tour rolls on, with stops in Manchester and Dublin this month, and more opportunities for him to speak out. Trump, no stranger to the spotlight, might clap back on social media or at a public event, keeping the feud alive. For now, the episode has stirred up social media, where hashtags like #Springsteen and #Trump are trending. Will this sway opinions or just preach to the converted? That’s the question hanging over a story that’s less about one concert and more about a nation still wrestling with its fault lines.