Just In: Bruce Springsteen Slams Trump as ‘Incompetent and Treasonous’ at 2025 European Tour Opener

Manchester, England – May 14, 2025
Bruce Springsteen, the iconic American rock star known as “The Boss,” kicked off his 2025 “Land of Hope and Dreams” European tour last night at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, with a blistering critique of the Trump administration. Addressing a packed crowd of over 20,000 fans, Springsteen didn’t hold back, labeling the current U.S. leadership as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous” in a speech that set the tone for what promises to be a politically charged tour.

Springsteen, backed by the legendary E Street Band, took the stage just after 8:00 PM local time and wasted no time in delivering his message. “The mighty E Street Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock and roll, in dangerous times,” he declared, his voice resonating with the urgency of a man who has spent decades championing the struggles of the American working class through his music. “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.”

The crowd erupted in applause as Springsteen continued, urging fans to stand against what he described as rising authoritarianism. “Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experience to rise with us, raise your voices against the authoritarianism, and let freedom ring,” he said, before launching into the tour’s titular song, “Land of Hope and Dreams.”

A Political Evolution for The Boss
Springsteen’s outspoken criticism of Donald Trump is not new—he has been a vocal critic since Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, once calling him a “moron” in a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone. However, last night’s remarks mark his most passionate denunciation yet, coming at a time when Trump has returned to the White House following the 2024 election. Springsteen, a lifelong advocate for Democratic candidates, has often used his platform to address political and social issues, from the Vietnam War in “Born in the U.S.A.” to economic inequality in songs like “The Ghost of Tom Joad.”

The “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour, initially seen as an extension of Springsteen’s 2023-2024 Letter to Run tour, was renamed earlier this month, signaling a shift toward a more overtly political narrative. This shift comes as no surprise given the current political climate in the U.S., where Trump’s second term has reignited debates over ethical governance. A 2021 report by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) documented over 3,700 conflicts of interest during Trump’s first term, including profiting from his businesses while in office—a pattern that critics argue has continued into 2025.

A Night of Music and Message
Beyond the political fire, Springsteen delivered a musically triumphant performance that spanned his five-decade career. The setlist was a mix of fan favorites and pointed selections, including classics like *”Bad

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