A news outlet from New Jersey has raised concerns about Bruce Springsteen, suggesting he’s profiting from a high-priced anti-Trump concert in his home state while marketing himself as a “populist” artist.
A recent article on NJ.com stated, “Springsteen’s New Jersey concert poisoned by hypocrisy. Last anti-Trump act is a tragic mistake.”
Since kicking off his tour in Minneapolis on March 31, the 76-year-old rock star has been vocal about his disdain for President Donald Trump, labeling the administration as “corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless and a traitor,” and even called the 79-year-old president “a president who can’t handle the truth,” among other criticisms.
According to the article, Springsteen began his New Jersey show with a similarly bold statement.
In Newark, he encouraged fans to “choose hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unchecked corruption, resistance over complacency, truth over lies, unity over division, and peace over war.”
Springsteen remains a significant cultural figure known for hits like “Born to Run,” “Thunder Road,” and “Born in the USA.” Over the decades, he hasn’t hesitated to express his political views, supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, Joe Biden in 2020, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Barack Obama in both 2008 and 2012.
The NJ.com article criticized his actions, saying, “There’s one problem: It’s all hypocritical crap. Profiteering over legitimate protest.” The writer pointed out that Springsteen’s public persona as a champion for the working class feels increasingly disconnected from the financial realities of his concerts.
Specifically, the piece noted that the blue-collar musician is now charging hefty prices for tickets. For instance, a top seat at his Newark concert was listed at up to $2,900, a figure Springsteen accepted despite some backlash from fans. Additionally, he’s reportedly selling ‘No Kings’ flags for $90 at the venue.
The article argued that Springsteen’s transformation is striking, suggesting that his current tour exploits societal divisions in a way that could tarnish his legacy.
Although some artists also have pricey tickets, the article deemed it disingenuous that they might not have built their reputations by acting as heroic figures. “None of them spent their careers… as agents of moral witness,” it stated, noting that while the music may still resonate, framing it as protest in such an expensive context “is a hollow monetization of a difficult period in American history and a serious stain on a storied career.”
Fox News Digital attempted to reach out to Springsteen’s representatives but did not get an immediate reply.
