A Bruce Springsteen fan group with nearly 20,000 members has shut down after years of arguments over the musician’s political views.
The group’s co-founders, Howie and Julie Chaz, announced Sunday that they were closing the Spring-Nuts Facebook page after 11 years. They said political divisions had increasingly spilled into the community, where disagreements too often turned into personal attacks, bullying and hateful comments.
Springsteen’s endorsement of Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed was a particular source of tension, though the Chazes said it was not the sole reason for their decision. They described themselves as proud Jews and objected to El-Sayed’s ties to people they said had expressed hostility toward America and Jewish people.
They pointed to El-Sayed’s campaigning with influencer Hasan Piker, who said in 2019 that the United States deserved the September 11 attacks.
Springsteen has become increasingly outspoken in his opposition to President Donald Trump and his supporters. Shortly before Election Day, he endorsed El-Sayed, calling him a fighter against what he described as corrupt and lawless leadership in the White House.
The singer had recognized the Spring-Nuts group in 2022 and thanked its members for their charitable fundraising efforts.
The Chazes said the ongoing strain of division had taken a toll on the community and prompted them to close that chapter. They plan to rebrand the group around music more broadly, while emphasizing that they hold no ill will toward Springsteen.
El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers, becoming the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate.
