During a passionate performance in Manchester, rock legend Bruce Springsteen delivered a searing rebuke of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration. Declaring Trump “unfit” for office, Springsteen used the stage to speak out against what he described as a corrupt and treasonous government. He framed his criticism within the context of defending democracy, urging concertgoers to rise against authoritarianism. The event marked the beginning of the European leg of his “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour and set a politically charged tone for his performances.
Springsteen Urges Unity, Denounces Injustice, Warns of Authoritarian Threats to American Democracy
Springsteen opened the show by invoking the “righteous power of art” in what he described as dangerous times. He emphasized that the America he has written about for decades—one rooted in hope and liberty—was now under threat. The singer made repeated calls for people to unite, saying the final safeguard of democracy lies not in government but in the people. “All we’ve really got is each other,” he proclaimed, suggesting that public solidarity is the only remaining bulwark against rising authoritarianism.
Bruce Springsteen Condemns Trump and Authoritarianism in Fiery Manchester Concert SpeechBeyond criticizing Trump personally, Springsteen condemned specific policies of the former administration. He accused U.S. leaders of prioritizing wealth over humanity, alleging that the richest Americans were content to let the world’s poorest children suffer. He also called out actions that reversed civil rights gains and inflicted pain on loyal American workers. The rock star painted a grim picture of a government actively dismantling social progress for ideological and economic reasons.
Artists Condemn Authoritarianism, Urge Americans to Defend Democracy and Demand Accountability
Springsteen didn’t limit his criticism to the president; he also targeted lawmakers and political institutions. He accused Congress of enabling Trump by failing to hold him accountable and suggested that many politicians lack a true understanding of what it means to be American. Still, he expressed hope that the country would endure, saying that the America he has sung about for five decades is real and resilient, despite its flaws.
Springsteen’s remarks echoed those of actor Robert De Niro, who just days earlier had denounced Trump at the Cannes Film Festival. De Niro emphasized the role of the arts in defending democracy and called for nonviolent resistance and voter mobilization. Together, these prominent figures are using their platforms to challenge autocratic tendencies and inspire civic engagement, reinforcing the idea that cultural figures can play a key role in political discourse.