Rock icon Bruce Springsteen took a defiant stand against US President Donald Trump and his administration during a passionate speech at the opening night of his European tour, condemning what he called a “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous” government and urging fans to resist the rise of authoritarianism.
Performing with the E Street Band in Manchester on Wednesday night, Springsteen used his platform to launch a powerful political message, declaring, “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.”
“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,” he told the crowd.
Springsteen, a long-time critic of Trump, called on the audience to raise their voices in defence of democracy. “Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American spirit to rise with us,” he said. “Raise your voices against authoritarianism.”
Throughout the night, the 74-year-old performer continued his condemnation of the current US leadership, later posting videos of his remarks to Instagram. “The last check on power, after the checks and balances of government have failed, are the people – you and me,” he told fans. “At the end of the day, all we’ve really got is each other.”
Springsteen also lashed out at specific Trump administration policies, accusing it of prioritising the ultra-wealthy over the world’s most vulnerable. “In America, the richest men are taking satisfaction in abandoning the world’s poorest children to sickness and death. This is happening now,” he said.
He further denounced the rollback of civil rights, abandonment of US allies, ideological interference in academia, and the deportation of residents without due process. “They’re removing residents off American streets… and deporting them to foreign detention centres and prisons. This is all happening now,” he warned.
The rock legend also criticised lawmakers for failing to uphold democratic values, accusing them of having “no concern or idea of what it means to be deeply American”.
Despite his grim warnings, Springsteen ended on a hopeful note. “The America that I’ve sung to you about for 50 years is real and, regardless of its faults, is a great country with a great people, so will survive this moment,” he said.
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The concert marked the beginning of the European leg of Springsteen and the E Street Band’s Land of Hope and Dreams tour, with upcoming performances scheduled across France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Czech Republic.
Images: Instagram
