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