Bruce Springsteen – Manchester 05/14/2025
(last edit date: 05/28/2025)
Introduction
Bruce Springsteen opened his Land Of Hope And Dreams Tour in Manchester, England on May 14, 2025. He criticized the Trump administration, which works tirelessly to send the US (and the world) back to the Dark Ages, during introductions to some of the songs played at the show. As expected, the sitting president reacted swiftly, ferociously and unworthy of the office he represents.
Democrat
Bruce Springsteen is a Democrat. His (republican) fans still react surprised, and at times even aggressively, to this ‘news’. Which is quite remarkable. From the very start of his career in 1973, Springsteen’s lyrics relate to values that support the less fortunate, but above all freedom for all and the right to be who you want to be, regardless of race, sex of conviction. Springsteen is probably worried that these values are up for debate at all. He has the platform to say what he wants to say and he has never shied away from that responsibility. In 2016, before Trump’s first term as president, Springsteen called him “a flagrant toxic narcissist”.
Springsteen endorses Harris video 10/03/2024
Kamala Harris
During the election campaign in 2024 Bruce Springsteen supported the Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. On October 3, 2024, he published a video in which he explained his reasoning.
I’m supporting Kamala Harris for President and Tim Walz for Vice President, and opposing Donald Trump and JD Vance – here’s why. We are shortly coming upon one of the most consequential elections in our nation’s history. Perhaps not since the Civil War has this country felt as politically, spiritually and emotionally divided as it does than at this moment. It doesn’t have to be this way. The common values, the shared stories that make us a great and united nation are waiting to be rediscovered and retold once again. Now that will take time, hard work, intelligence, faith, and women and men with a national good guiding their hearts.
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 doesn’t understand the meaning of this country, its history, or what it means to be deeply American.
On the other hand, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are committed to a vision of this country that respects and includes everyone, regardless of class, religion, race, your political point of view or sexual identity, and they want to grow our economy in a way that benefits all, not just a few like me, on top. That’s the vision of America I’ve been consistently writing about for 55 years.
Now, everybody sees things different, and I respect your choice as a fellow citizen. But like you, I’ve only got one vote, and it’s one of the most precious possessions that I have. That’s why come Nov. 5 I’ll be casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. Thanks for listening.
Bruce Springsteen, 10/03/2024
When Trump has won the elections most critics stayed quiet. However, after the first couple of months of Trump’s second term as president, criticism is on the rise, and not just from his well-known critics, but also from those who foolishly believed Trump when he said he would fight for them too.
Bruce Springsteen – Land Of Hope And Dreams Tour
Manchester, 05/14/2025
On May 14, 2025, Springsteen started his Land Of Hope And Dreams tour (what’s in a name?) in Manchester, England. Springsteen was incredibly fierce and militant about what has happened in the US (and the world) since Trump took over power from Joe Biden.
To make it abundantly clear that Springsteen wasn’t making remarks off the cuff, Springsteen published all the introductions on his website.
News • May 15, 2025
Land of Hope and Dreams
Tonight, Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band opened their Land of Hope & Dreams Tour in Manchester, England. Bruce launched this run of shows with three statements about the situation in the United States, with comments preceding his songs “Land of Hope and Dreams,” “House of a Thousand Guitars” and “My City of Ruins.” Below are the transcripts of all three spoken segments.
Introduction to Land of Hope and Dreams
Good Evening!
It’s great to be in Manchester and back in the U.K. Welcome to the Land of Hope & Dreams Tour! 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.
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!
Introduction to House of a Thousand Guitars
The last check, 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. At the end of the day, all we’ve got is each other.
Introduction to My City of Ruins
There’s some very weird, strange and dangerous shit going on out there right now. 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.
In my country, they’re taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers.
They’re rolling back historic civil rights legislation that has led to a more just and plural society.
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.
They are removing residents off American streets and, without due process of law, are deporting them to foreign detention centers and prisons. This is all happening now.
A majority of our elected representatives have failed to protect the American people from the abuses of an unfit president and a rogue government. They have no concern or idea for what it means to be deeply American.
The America I’ve sung to you about for 50 years is real and regardless of its faults is a great country with a great people. So we’ll survive this moment. Now, I have hope, because I believe in the truth of what the great American writer James Baldwin said. He said, “In this world, there isn’t as much humanity as one would like, but there’s enough.” Let’s pray.
Bruce Springsteen, Manchester, 05/14/2025 (brucespringsteen.net)
See the video of the inroductions by following the link provided at the bottom of this article.
Reactions
In the early hours of May 15, 2025, the White House (!) stated that “the 77 million Americans that elected President Trump disagree with elitist and out-of-touch celebrities like Bruce Springsteen. Bruce is welcome to stay overseas while hardworking Americans enjoy a secure border and cooling inflation thanks to President Trump.” But that wasn’t the end of it. On his way back from the Middle East Trump responded personally, in a way unworthy of his office and stung like a bee. In his response he also mentioned Taylor Swift, whom he had mentioned the day before on his social media platform (“Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ she’s no longer ‘HOT?'”).
Trump 05/16/2025
The last sentence “Then we’ll all see how it goes for him!” was particularly debatable. Was this a threat? Many viewed it as such.
AFM logo
American Federation Of Musicians Of The United States And Canada
On Friday May 16, 2025, Tino Cagliardi, president of the American Federation Of Musicians Of The United States And Canada reacted.
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.
Tino Cagliardi, president van de American Federation Of Musicians Of The United States And Canada, 05/16/2025
Springsteen reiterated his statements at his second Manchester show on May 17, 2025.
Trump reaction 05/19/2025
As usual Trump’s responses get more unhinged and implausible. Yet, his “accuse my enemies of something, even if it clearly isn’t true” tactics work, especially with his supporters. So he did, this time suggesting that artists had received millions of dollars for supporting Kamala Harris.
Springsteen vs Trump – Trump 05/19/2025
Seven hours later he added:
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! Remember, the Democrats and Kamala illegally paid her millions of Dollars for doing nothing other than giving Kamala a full throated ENDORSEMENT. 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!!!
Trump has stated this before and the claims proved to be false. But Trump wouldn’t be Trump is he didn’t repeat the lies. He knows his following accepts it as gospel. By now, the bot-army and alt-right channels, especially the ones on Twitter, are running at full speed. Springsteen is a pedo (‘they’ even have videos of him abusing children), Springsteen is a communist, Springsteen is a puppet for ‘the elite’, Springsteen is a traitor, no one wants to work with Springsteen anymore, Springsteen’s shows are visited by just a handful of people, Springsteen is the devil, etc.
It’s all the same recipe. Attack the opposer, distract from the real issues and, above all, spread lie upon lie upon lie, even if they have been proved wrong time and time again. That’s the current state of the American administration.
On May 20, 2025, Springsteen played his third sold out show at Manchester stadium. He repeated his criticism and near the end of the Show Springsteen stated “The last check on power is people – you and me. At the end of the day, we have got each other.”
Springsteen vs Trump – Trump 21-05-2025
May 21, 2025
On May 21, 2025, Trump posted a fake video in which he trips Springsteen over on stage with a golf ball. The footage of Springsteen falling stems from May 27, 2023, when he tripped over on stage in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The five year old child within the president has taken over.
Trump’s responses clearly demonstrate Springsteen’s case. The idea that Springsteen may be impressed by Trump’s reactions can definitely be put on ice. The same day the Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band EP Land Of Hope & Dreams was rush-released. It’s a live EP, recorded at the May 14, 2025, show in Manchester. The EP was available on all streaming services immediately. The EP’s tracklisting says it all.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Land Of Hope & Dreams
Songs
- Land Of Hope And Dreams (Introduction)
- Land Of Hope And Dreams
- Long Walk Home
- My City Of Ruins (Introduction)
- My City Of Ruins
- Chimes Of Freedom
The 75 (!) year old Springsteen is in great shape and sounds inspired throughout. Chimes Of Freedom is extremely moving. Springsteen hits a home-run with this release.
Neil Young
Neil Young is a Democrat as well and also critical of the way Trump behaves, thinks and acts. Neil Young supports Springsteen 100% and stated the obvious: instead of worrying about musicians, do what you’re supposed to do, for the people.
Neil Young 05/16&20/2025
Others
Pearl Jam / Eddie Vedder
Pearl Jam covered the Springsteen song My City Of Ruins on May 16, 2025, in support of Springsteen. Two days later singer Eddie Vedder adressed the Springsteen situation before the band kick started a furious version of Neil Young’s Rockin’ In The Free World.
Trump’s response had nothing to do with the issues. They didn’t talk about one of those issues, they didn’t have a conversation about one of those issues. They didn’t debate any one of those issues. All that we heard were personal attacks and threats that nobody else should even try to use their microphones or use their voice in public or they’ll be shut down.
Now that is not allowed in this country that we call America. Part of free speech is open discussion. Part of democracy is healthy public discourse. The name-calling is so beneath us. Bruce has always been as pro-American with his values and and freedom and liberty, and his justice has always remained intact. And I’m saying this now to be sure that this freedom to speak will still exist in a year or two when we come back to this microphone.
Eddie Vedder, 05/18/2025
Robert Plant
That same day Robert Plant also addressed the same issue at his show.
Right now in England, which is where we come from – not quite the land of the ice and snow, Bruce Springsteen is touring right now in the UK and he’s putting out some really serious stuff. So tune in to him. And let’s all hope that we can be…
Robert Plant, 05/18/2025
After which the band launched the song Friends.
Tom Morello – Boston 05/25/2025
Tom Morello
On May 25, 2025, Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello performed in Boston. By the end of the set, which was politically charged with remarks and speeches aimed at Trump and his administration, Morello said:
Bruce is going after Trump because Bruce, his whole life, he’s been about truth, justice, democracy, equality. And Trump is mad at him because Bruce draws a bigger audience. Fuck that guy.
Tom Morello, 05/25/2025
He then played a cover of Springsteen’s The Ghost Of Tom Joad, where some time before he had played Woody Guthrie’s This Land Is Your Land speelde, a song Springsteen released on his monumental 1986 Live 1975-85 boxset.
On May 27, 2025, Morello tweeted “No retreat baby, no surrender”, quoting Springsteen’s song No Surrender.
Bono
Also on May 27, 2025, Bono was a guest in the tv show Jimmy Kimmel Live. When Bono was asked if he was pro-Springsteen or pro-Trump, Bono answered: “There’s ony one Boss in America”. Asked for a reaction to the May 19, 2025, messages from Trump, Bono reacted:
To be in the company of Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and Oprah – I’d play tambourine in that band.
U2 and I have never been paid or played a show to support any candidate for any party. It has never happened. I know that it’s called Truth Socal, it seems to be pretty antisocial, and not very true a lot of the time.
Bono, 05/27/2025
In closing
And Springsteen himself? He reiterated his message at his May 24 and 27, 2025, shows. The Land Of Hope And Dreams tour is expected to continue to reflect the current political climate in the US. According to attendees, it provides the audience with energetic, driven concerts. The reviews praise the shows.
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: Springsteen vs Trump. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
