‘Corrupt, incompetent and treasonous’: Bruce Springsteen’s fierce warning on stage
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When celebrities speak out, their voices often carry far beyond the stage or screen — especially when they take aim at political power.
A recent event overseas saw two of America’s most recognisable cultural icons use their platforms to deliver powerful messages about democracy, leadership, and national values.
Their words have sparked global attention — and fierce debate.
Bruce Springsteen delivered a scathing rebuke of the Trump administration during a concert in Manchester, England, on 14 May.
The performance marked the opening night of the European leg of the Land of Hope and Dreams tour with the E Street Band.
Standing before a packed crowd at Co-op Live, Springsteen took several moments during the show to voice his concerns about the direction of American politics.
‘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.
Springsteen described the current U.S. leadership as ‘corrupt, incompetent and treasonous’, stating: ‘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 called on fans to stand together against what he described as a rising threat to democracy.
‘Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American spirit to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism,’ he said.
Clips of the moment were later uploaded to social media.
He told the crowd: ‘The last check on power, after the checks and balances of government have failed, are the people — you and me. It's in the union of people around a common set of values. Now that's all that stands between democracy and authoritarianism. So at the end of the day, all we've really got is each other.’
The legendary performer did not hold back as he criticised recent policies coming out of Washington.
‘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 adde: ‘In my country, they are taking sadistic pleasure in the pain that they inflict on loyal American workers, they're rolling back historic civil rights legislation that led to a more just and plural society.’
Springsteen accused the administration of isolating the United States on the world stage and eroding basic rights at home.
‘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,’ he said.
He further condemned American lawmakers for failing to protect their country from ‘an unfit president and a rogue government,’ and said they had ‘no concern or idea of what it means to be deeply American.’
Despite his criticism, Springsteen expressed hope for the country’s resilience.
‘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.
Springsteen had previously voiced support for Kamala Harris at a campaign event and has not been shy about his political stance in the past.
His comments followed a similarly pointed speech by Taxi Driver actor Robert De Niro, who took to the stage at the Cannes Film Festival on 13 May.
De Niro accepted an honorary Palme d'Or and used the moment to speak out against the U.S. president.
‘In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,’ De Niro said.
He told the Cannes audience: ‘That affects all of us here, because the arts are democratic, art is inclusive and brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity, and that's why art is a threat.’
‘That's why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists,’ he said.
He concluded with a passionate call for civic engagement, saying: ‘It's time for everyone who cares about liberty to organise, to protest and when there are elections, of course, to vote. Vote.’
In a previous story, Donald Trump made headlines with a surprising comment that quickly went viral online.
His lighthearted remark sparked a wave of reactions across social media.
Read on to see how the internet responded to the former president’s unexpected joke.
With artists like Springsteen and De Niro using their platforms to speak out, do you think celebrities have a responsibility to weigh in on politics? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A recent event overseas saw two of America’s most recognisable cultural icons use their platforms to deliver powerful messages about democracy, leadership, and national values.
Their words have sparked global attention — and fierce debate.
Bruce Springsteen delivered a scathing rebuke of the Trump administration during a concert in Manchester, England, on 14 May.
The performance marked the opening night of the European leg of the Land of Hope and Dreams tour with the E Street Band.
Standing before a packed crowd at Co-op Live, Springsteen took several moments during the show to voice his concerns about the direction of American politics.
Bruce Springsteen criticises Trump at Manchester concert. Image source: Instagram/realdonaldtrump
‘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.
Springsteen described the current U.S. leadership as ‘corrupt, incompetent and treasonous’, stating: ‘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 called on fans to stand together against what he described as a rising threat to democracy.
‘Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American spirit to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism,’ he said.
Clips of the moment were later uploaded to social media.
He told the crowd: ‘The last check on power, after the checks and balances of government have failed, are the people — you and me. It's in the union of people around a common set of values. Now that's all that stands between democracy and authoritarianism. So at the end of the day, all we've really got is each other.’
The legendary performer did not hold back as he criticised recent policies coming out of Washington.
‘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 adde: ‘In my country, they are taking sadistic pleasure in the pain that they inflict on loyal American workers, they're rolling back historic civil rights legislation that led to a more just and plural society.’
Springsteen accused the administration of isolating the United States on the world stage and eroding basic rights at home.
‘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,’ he said.
He further condemned American lawmakers for failing to protect their country from ‘an unfit president and a rogue government,’ and said they had ‘no concern or idea of what it means to be deeply American.’
Despite his criticism, Springsteen expressed hope for the country’s resilience.
‘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.
Springsteen had previously voiced support for Kamala Harris at a campaign event and has not been shy about his political stance in the past.
His comments followed a similarly pointed speech by Taxi Driver actor Robert De Niro, who took to the stage at the Cannes Film Festival on 13 May.
De Niro accepted an honorary Palme d'Or and used the moment to speak out against the U.S. president.
‘In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted,’ De Niro said.
He told the Cannes audience: ‘That affects all of us here, because the arts are democratic, art is inclusive and brings people together, like tonight. Art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity, and that's why art is a threat.’
‘That's why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists,’ he said.
He concluded with a passionate call for civic engagement, saying: ‘It's time for everyone who cares about liberty to organise, to protest and when there are elections, of course, to vote. Vote.’
In a previous story, Donald Trump made headlines with a surprising comment that quickly went viral online.
His lighthearted remark sparked a wave of reactions across social media.
Read on to see how the internet responded to the former president’s unexpected joke.
With artists like Springsteen and De Niro using their platforms to speak out, do you think celebrities have a responsibility to weigh in on politics? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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