President Donald Trump thinks Bruce Springsteen is “highly overrated … not a talented guy – just a pushy, obnoxious JERK.” Trump shared his always unfiltered comments on his Truth social media platform on Friday, following Springsteen’s admonishment of his administration at the opening of the E Street Band’s European “Land of Hopes and Dreams” tour Wednesday night (May 14) in Manchester, England.
“Sleepy Joe didn’t have a clue as to what he was doing, but Springsteen is ‘dumb as a rock,’ and couldn’t see what was going on, or could he (which is even worse!),” Trump wrote, referencing former President Joe Biden. “This dried out ‘prune’ of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, that’s just ‘standard fare’. Then we’ll all see how it goes for him!”
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To recap:Springsteen opened the European leg of his 2025 tour with a scathing message taking aim at the U.S. president and the Trump administration. The Manchester stop by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and his E Street Band was at Etihad Stadium.
During a pause in the show, Springsteen addressed the crowd: “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,” he said. “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!”
The setlist included 29 songs, many of which touched on themes related to American identity, justice, and civic life. The concert opened with “Land of Hope and Dreams,” which included a snippet of “People Get Ready” at the end. That was followed by “Death to My Hometown,” “Lonesome Day,” “My Love Will Not Let You Down” and “Rainmaker,” which was performed live for the first time and introduced as being “dedicated to our dear leader.”
Other songs performed during the main set included “Darkness on the Edge of Town,” “The Promised Land,” “Hungry Heart,” “My Hometown,” “Youngstown,” “Murder Incorporated” (performed for the first time since 2017) and “Long Walk Home.”
Springsteen also played “House of a Thousand Guitars,” followed by “My City of Ruins,” “Letter to You,” “Because the Night,” “Human Touch,” “Wrecking Ball,” “The Rising,” “Badlands,” and “Thunder Road.”
The encore began with “Born in the U.S.A.,” followed by “Born to Run,” “Bobby Jean,” “Dancing in the Dark” (which included band introductions) and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out,” during which images of late band members Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici were shown on screen. The show concluded with “Chimes of Freedom,” a Bob Dylan cover not performed by Springsteen since 1988 on his “Tunnel of Love” tour.
The performance in Manchester marked the start of Springsteen’s latest European tour, with additional dates scheduled across the continent in the coming months. His remarks and song choices come amid ongoing political discourse in the United States surrounding the 2024 presidential election and the return of Donald Trump to the political spotlight.
Earlier this year, Springsteen participated in the 2025 American Music Honors, where he performed with Smokey Robinson, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello and John Fogerty. The event, held at Monmouth University’s Pollak Theatre, celebrated musical legends and featured tributes and performances by numerous artists. Springsteen, along with Patti Scialfa and Steve Van Zandt, joined honorees in renditions of classic songs, including “This Land Is Your Land,” “Fortunate Son” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.”
Springsteen is set to perform again in Manchester on May 17 and 20.
In response to Trump’s comments, which also took aim at Taylor Swift, the American Federation of Musicians released a statement that reads: “[The AFM] 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.”
