In a recent concert in Manchester, rock legend Bruce Springsteen openly criticised US President Donald Trump, deeming him “unfit” for the presidency. He commenced the performance by invoking the transformative power of music during turbulent times, asserting that the America he loves—symbolic of hope and liberty for 250 years—has fallen under the control of a “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration.”
Springsteen urged attendees to unite and vocalise their opposition to authoritarianism, stating, “The last check on power… are the people—it’s in the union of people around a common set of values.” He highlighted the crucial role that public solidarity plays in protecting democracy.
Throughout the show, he denounced several policies of the Trump administration, lamenting the stark realities faced by the poorest children in America and the administration’s abandonment of civil rights legislation. “They are rolling back historic civil rights legislation that created a more just society,” he remarked, lamenting the painful consequences inflicted on American workers and their families.
Springsteen further described the administration’s treatment of migrants, pointing to a lack of due process and the deportation of residents. He took aim at lawmakers, accusing them of failing to shield citizens from what he labelled “an unfit president and a rogue government.”
Despite expressing his deep concerns regarding the current political climate, Springsteen maintained a hopeful outlook on the resilience of the American spirit, stating that the country, despite its flaws, could endure these challenges. He expressed pride in the version of America he has celebrated in his music over the past five decades.
His concert marked the opening of the European leg of his “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour, which includes performances in multiple countries. Springsteen has previously spoken against Trump, urging Americans to support Democratic candidates, including Kamala Harris.
His critiques of Trump coincided with Hollywood star Robert De Niro’s remarks during the Cannes Film Festival, where he emphatically stated the ongoing battle for democracy in the US. De Niro echoed the importance of democratic arts, asserting that art serves as a unifying force in society and poses a threat to dictatorial regimes. He concluded with a call for civic engagement, urging people to organise, protest, and vote to uphold liberty.