Muhamad Yehia .. Cairo
Another day, another bizarre and headline-hogging outburst from the US president… This time, he’s calling for a “major investigationinto musicians who supported Kamala Harris – and has started a childish back and forth between him and Bruce Springsteen. Here’s everything you need to know.
Donald Trump has called for a “major investigation” into Bruce Springsteen and other musicians who supported Kamala Harris.
Still bruised from his lack of A-list talent support during the presidential election, Trump is calling for an investigation into Springsteen, who he alleges was paid by Kamala Harris for his “POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT” (posted online on Truth Social in all caps, naturally).
He went on to ask: “ISN’T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION?”
In addition to Springsteen, Trump also took aim at other artists, including Bono and Beyoncé, during his recent unhinged rant: “HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT?. WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS? ISN’T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? WHAT ABOUT BEYONCÉ? …AND HOW MUCH WENT TO OPRAH, AND BONO
He carried on, escalating things: “I am going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment. In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds. IT’S NOT LEGAL! For these unpatriotic “entertainers,” this was just a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”
Well, even if none of Trump’s claims were evidenced in his social media posts, at least the send-off to his most recent attack on free speech is politely phrased.
This totally reasonable and not at all baffling outburst comes after Springsteen made several scathing speeches criticising Trump on stage at his EU tour opening show in Manchester. He spoke about the “corruption” and “incompetence” of the President and his administration
Springsteen started his Manchester show by saying to the audience: “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. Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring!”
Trump then lashed out at the veteran rock star, a long-time staunch critic of the president.
In a very presidential way, Trump called The Boss a “dried out prune of a rocker”, adding: “Never liked him, never liked his music or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he’s not a talented guy — just a pushy, obnoxious JERK.”
“This dried out prune of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back in the Country,” he said.
Threats on top of the lack of self-awareness when it comes to “dried out” physical appearance? How delightful.
This is far from the first time Trump has criticised big celebrity names that speak out against him, like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.
This lead the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) to issue a statement last Saturday defending both Springsteen and Taylor Swift after Trump attacked them on social media. Regarding Taylor Swift, he rage posted: “Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ she’s no longer ‘HOT?’” – in reference to posts he made last year over Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris in the US Presidential election.
AFM President Tino Gagliardi wrote in response: “[We] will not remain silent as two of our members—Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift—are singled out and personally attacked by the President of the United States.”
“Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift are not just brilliant musicians, they are role models and inspirations to millions of people in the United States and across the world.”
Gagliardi went on to praise the singers for their “timeless” music with “deep cultural meaning,” adding: “Musicians have the right to freedom of expression, and we stand in solidarity with all our members.”
We doubt that Trump’s fragile ego will be able to shake it off or that he’ll be putting on ‘Born To Run’ for a few spins. The US will suffer from it though, as Springsteen and the E Street Band haven’t performed in the United States since before the 2024 election.
The Boss has several European tour dates scheduled this year into July and hasn’t announced any new American shows.