Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iran’s Fars News Agency: Security forces have arrested 16 agents in Lorestan Province who were working for Mossad
Advisor to the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Hossein Ranjbaran: Iranian intelligence had foiled a major Israeli plot targeting [FM Abbas] Araghchi in Tehran
Iran: Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Three explosions were heard in the capital, Tehran
Iran: Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Air defenses have been activated in Tehran
Fars News Agency, citing a source: Reuters' report about a phone call between Witkoff and Araghchi is false
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli drone launched a missile strike on the town of Houla
The Israeli military command claims that air defenses intercepted a drone over the Haifa area, no sirens sounded in accordance with protocol
Israeli media: A loud explosion was heard in the Krayot, authorities are investigating whether it was caused by a drone, however sirens did not sound
Iranian military official: Footage of missile explosions confirms the use of enhanced warheads and high explosives
Iranian military official: These missiles were able to bypass anti-ballistic missile air defense systems such as THAAD, Arrow, and David's Sling.

'Corrupt': Springsteen on UK stage rips Trump over civil rights issues

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 17 May 2025 09:37
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

Bruce Springsteen opens his Manchester concert with a powerful message, denouncing the Trump administration’s actions and reaffirming his belief in America’s resilience through music and protest.

Listen
  • x
  • Bruce Springsteen performs at Stand Up For Heroes in New York on Nov. 1, 2016. (AP)
    Bruce Springsteen performs at Stand Up For Heroes in New York on Nov. 1, 2016 (AP)

Bruce Springsteen opened his Land of Hope and Dreams tour in Manchester, England, on Wednesday with a powerful political message, condemning US President Donald Trump and his administration in front of a packed audience.

The event marked a notable return to overt political commentary in music, with Springsteen labeling the administration as "corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous."

Known for his liberal stance, Springsteen has often voiced political opinions, but his remarks in Manchester were particularly sharp. While many artists have taken a more reserved approach in recent years, the 75-year-old artist used the platform to deliver a stark critique of current US leadership before launching into a series of performances, including “Land of Hope and Dreams,” “House of a Thousand Guitars,” and “My City of Ruins.”

"My home, the America I love that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration." - Bruce Springsteen pic.twitter.com/paec6YpnIg

— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) May 15, 2025

“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,” Springsteen told the crowd. “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.”

Related News

US strike on Iran delayed by bunker buster uncertainty: The Guardian

NY mayoral candidate, arrested by Ice, says, ‘Trump weaponizing fear’

Springsteen’s message to America

In his speech, later published on his website and YouTube channel, Springsteen expanded his criticism beyond individual policies, pointing to a broader erosion of democratic and social values under the Trump administration.

The artist accused the Trump administration of persecuting dissenters, in what many perceived as an apparent reference to the recent arrests of pro-Palestine activists. Springsteen also condemned the US government for “abandoning allies and siding with dictators.”

“They’re rolling back historic civil rights legislation that has led to a more just and plural society,” he said. “They’re abandoning our great allies and siding with dictators against those struggling for their freedom. They’re defunding American universities that won’t bow down to their ideological demands. They’re 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.”

Despite the grave tone of his political message, Springsteen ended on a note of hope and resilience. “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,” he told the audience. “So we’ll survive this moment.”

The Manchester performance set the tone for what appears to be a tour deeply intertwined with political commentary, blending music and message as Springsteen and the Bruce Springsteen E Street Band travel across Europe.

Read next: ABBA demands Trump stop using their songs at campaign rallies

  • United States
  • Manchester concert
  • Bruce Springsteen
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Netanyahu stuns by postponing son’s wedding over Iran war
Politics

Netanyahu sparks outrage citing son’s wedding delay as Iran war cost

French court postpones verdict to July 17 on Georges Abdallah
Europe

French court postpones verdict on Georges Abdallah to July 17

Perseverance to shorten war: Iran's Larijani
Politics

Larijani says Iran to hold IAEA chief accountable after war ends

Damage to the Weizmann Institute of Science from an Iranian missile strike in Rehovot, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Politics

'Catastrophic loss': Iranian blow to Weizmann’s war-linked facilities

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS