Bruce Springsteen Launches U.S. Tour with Strong Political Message
Bruce Springsteen kicked off his U.S. tour on Tuesday night in Minnesota, delivering a powerful performance while criticizing the Trump administration, which he described as “reckless and treasonous.”
At his three-hour concert in Minneapolis, part of the “Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour,” the 76-year-old singer voiced his concerns about various policies under President Trump, touching on issues such as illegal immigration and the military conflict with Iran.
“We live in very dark times,” Springsteen declared to a full audience at the Target Center, reinforcing his point about the challenges to American values. He stated, “The lives of young men and women are being put at risk in an unconstitutional and illegal war,” referencing the ongoing military situation in Iran, which is officially a U.S. combat operation.
Throughout the concert, Springsteen echoed familiar themes from his critiques of the White House. He emphasized, “We are here to celebrate and defend American ideals,” lamenting that the America he loves—an America that has served as a beacon of hope—now faces threats from what he sees as a corrupt regime.
The singer, known for his robust support of former Vice President Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign, laid out a laundry list of grievances focused on Trump’s policies, including the detention of illegal immigrants and the handling of foreign aid.
“The richest people in America have abandoned the world’s poorest children through death and disease, through the withdrawal of American aid,” he argued. He also criticized the U.S. abandonment of NATO, saying, “We are abandoning NATO and the world order that has kept us safe for 80 years.”
He further mentioned how museums have been pressured to downplay uncomfortable aspects of American history, claiming that “we have a president who can’t handle the truth.” In what seemed like a free-flowing, expressive rant, he claimed that while many Americans are struggling, those in power are profiting from widespread corruption.
Springsteen kicked off the show with his song “War” before returning to his politically charged rhetoric, asserting that the current state of affairs in the country represents a significant moment of crisis.
The singer expressed concern that the international perception of the U.S. has shifted dramatically, stating that many now see it as a “reckless, unpredictable, predatory rogue state.”
He encouraged attendees to engage in the political process, stating, “Only the American people can stop this American tragedy, because so many of our elected leaders have failed us.”
Prior to the concert, local fans honored Springsteen with a star for his activism during anti-ICE protests earlier in the year. He performed his protest song “Streets of Minneapolis,” in response to the deaths of activists, in a moving segment of the concert.
Springsteen is set to continue his tour with 20 stops, including a series of shows in New York, culminating in a performance in Washington, D.C., on May 27.
