Trump escalates his war against Bruce Springsteen

BarcelonaDonald Trump hates criticism and always responds to counterattacks. And if the person attacking him is someone as charismatic and famous as Bruce Springsteen or Taylor Swift, his anger boils over. After Springsteen called the Trump administration "corrupt, incompetent, and a traitor" during a concert in Manchester last week, Trump was not short on insults for the singer and, in turn, for former President Joe Biden: "He has no talent," he said of Springsteen to Truth Social, "he's just an arrogant, one and an arrogant, one and Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent idiot and the worst president in history, who almost destroyed the country."

But this outburst did not satisfy him, and this Monday, three days later and while preparing to speak on the phone with Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine, He couldn't resist returning to attack Springsteen and other celebrities who dared to criticize him. In fact, he threatened to open an investigation into the alleged "illegal payments" that Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said he had made to several famous singers. Springsteen for his terrible performance during her presidential campaign? Why did he accept this money if he's such a big fan of hers? Isn't it an illegal campaign contribution? a thorough investigation into this matter."

But it hasn't stopped there, but has wanted to extend the threat to other celebrities that they are leaving position in favor of the Democratic candidate in the last campaignSpecifically, he directed his anger at Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and U2 singer Bono, of whom he said Kamala Harris "paid them for their support under the guise of paying for entertainment." "It's not legal," he said. Hours later, early Monday morning, he reiterated his anger with a second message: "Beyoncé was paid $11 million to go on stage, briefly support Kamala, and then walk off to hisses for not having sung a single song," he said, referring to Beyoncé's appearance at a pro-abortion Democratic campaign event in October 2024. "This is an illegal election scam at the highest level! An illegal campaign contribution! Bruce Springsteen, Oprah, Bono, and perhaps many others have a lot of explaining to do," he insisted.

He once again displays his "hatred" towards Taylor Swift.

These attacks add to Trump's recurring criticism of celebrities who don't share his political ideology. Last Friday, after lashing out at Bruce Springsteen for criticizing him at a concert in the United Kingdom, Trump once again targeted his archenemy in the music world, Taylor Swift, whom he once said he "hates" during the campaign. In September 2024, after Swift called for votes for Kamala Harris, Trump posted a short, explicit message on social media: "I hate Taylor Swift." On Friday, he attacked her again simply for saying: "Has anyone noticed that since I said I hated her, Taylor Swift is no longer popular?"—a completely gratuitous attack of more than dubious veracity.

The attacks have led the American Federation of Musicians to issue a statement defending Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift, and their freedom of expression. "They are not only brilliant musicians, but also role models and inspirations to millions of people in the United States and around the world," the statement read.

The Federation of Musicians' reaction responds to Trump's words, who in addition to calling him a "detestable imbecile" also called Springsteen "as dumb as a shoe" and invited him to "keep his mouth shut." It was clear that he was not at all pleased that the singer, with millions of followers around the world, called "on those who believe in democracy to raise their voices against authoritarianism." With these words, during a concert in Manchester, Springsteen denounced the degradation of his native country under the Trump presidency. "The America I love, the one I have written about and which has been a beacon of freedom for 250 years, is in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treacherous administration," he said. And Trump's can of worms was unleashed.