Copyright AP Photo
By David Mouriquand
Published on 21/05/2025
Musicians are coming to the defence of Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift, both of whom Donald Trump has criticised and threatened. “Part of free speech is open discussion. Part of democracy is healthy public discourse. The name-calling is so beneath us,” said Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder.
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has defended Bruce Springsteen during a concert amid attacks by Donald Trump on the legendary singer.
Vedder spoke out in support of Springsteen during the band’s show at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, saying: “(Trump’s) response had nothing to do with the issues. They didn’t talk about one of those issues, they didn’t have a conversation about one of those issues. They didn’t debate about any one of those issues. All that we heard were personal attacks and threats that nobody else should try to use their microphones or voice in public or they’ll be shut down.”
He continued: “Now that’s not allowed in this country that we call America. Part of free speech is open discussion. Part of democracy is healthy public discourse. The name-calling is so beneath us. Bruce has always been as pro-American with his values and liberty, and his justice has always remained intact. And I’m saying this now to be sure this freedom to speak will still exist in a year or two when we come back to this microphone.”
Springsteen previously called Trump’s administration “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous” during the opening night of his European tour on 14 May.
In response, Trump ranted online about Springsteen, calling The Boss a “dried out prune” and threatened the musician by saying Springsteen “ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country.”
The American Federation of Musicians responded to Trump’s comments, with the organisation’s president Tino Gagliardi saying: “Musicians have the right to freedom of expression, and we stand in solidarity with all our members.”
Since then, Trump has called for an investigation into Springsteen and his support for Kamala Harris. He also criticised Beyoncé and Bono.
Adding his name to list of Springsteen defenders is veteran American legend Neil Young, who previously shared his fears about being barred from returning to the US after criticising Trump.
Yesterday (20 May), Young shared a new blog post on the Neil Young Archives website, where he defended Springsteen and Taylor Swift, who Trump has also slammed.
“Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America. You worry about that instead of the dyin’ kids in Gaza. That’s your problem. I am not scared of you. Neither are the rest of us.”
He continued: “You shut down FEMA when we needed it most. That’s your problem Trump. STOP THINKING ABOUT WHAT ROCKERS ARE SAYING. Think about saving America from the mess you made.”
“Taylor Swift is right. So is Bruce. You know how I feel. You are more worried about yourself than AMERICA. Wake up Trump!! Remember what the White House is?”
He finished his blog entry by writing: “You are forgetting your real job. You work for us. Wake up Republicans! This guy is out of control. We need a real president!”
Neil Young is set to return to Europe this summer as part of his ‘Love Earth’ world tour, which includes dates at Glastonbury and a headline slot at BST Hyde Park.
In response, Trump ranted online about Springsteen, calling The Boss a “dried out prune” and threatened the musician by saying Springsteen “ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country.”
The American Federation of Musicians responded to Trump’s comments, with the organisation’s president Tino Gagliardi saying: “Musicians have the right to freedom of expression, and we stand in solidarity with all our members.”
Since then, Trump has called for an investigation into Springsteen and his support for Kamala Harris. He also criticised Beyoncé and Bono.
Adding his name to list of Springsteen defenders is veteran American legend Neil Young, who previously shared his fears about being barred from returning to the US after criticising Trump.
Yesterday (20 May), Young shared a new blog post on the Neil Young Archives website, where he defended Springsteen and Taylor Swift, who Trump has also slammed.
“Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America. You worry about that instead of the dyin’ kids in Gaza. That’s your problem. I am not scared of you. Neither are the rest of us.”
He continued: “You shut down FEMA when we needed it most. That’s your problem Trump. STOP THINKING ABOUT WHAT ROCKERS ARE SAYING. Think about saving America from the mess you made.”
“Taylor Swift is right. So is Bruce. You know how I feel. You are more worried about yourself than AMERICA. Wake up Trump!! Remember what the White House is?”
He finished his blog entry by writing: “You are forgetting your real job. You work for us. Wake up Republicans! This guy is out of control. We need a real president!”
Neil Young is set to return to Europe this summer as part of his ‘Love Earth’ world tour, which includes dates at Glastonbury and a headline slot at BST Hyde Park.
Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo join Springsteen to stand up against Trump
Adam Nichols
May 21, 2025
Harry Styles. (Shutterstock)
Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo have become the latest mega-celebrities to join rocker Bruce Springsteen in standing up against President Donald Trump.
Just days after Springsteen called Trump "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous" from an English stage — and got hit by a veiled threat in return — the two singers joined 250 others in putting their name to opposition to the president’s policies.
In an advert posted in the New York Times, first reported by Rolling Stone, they stood up against Trump’s plan to crush Planned Parenthood by slashing its funding grants.
The ad reads, “I’m for Planned Parenthood because I’m for freedom… because I’m for healthcare… because I’m for you and me — not the government — deciding what care we need and where we can get it."
Other stars publicly endorsing it included Pedro Pascal, Addison Rae, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, Meghan Trainor and Cyndi Lauper.
The full list can be found here.
Trump has been furious over celebrity criticism of himself and his policies in recent days, launching a war of words on Springsteen and threatening investigations into Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey for their endorsements of his election opponent Kamala Harris.
Last week, Springsteen told a crowd during his United Kingdom tour: “In my home America, the America I've written about that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, it is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.”
Trump clapped back: “This dried out ‘prune’ of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, that’s just ‘standard fare.”
“Then we’ll all see how it goes for him!”
Springsteen’s stance has been backed by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and singer Neil Young.
Adam Nichols
May 21, 2025
RAW STORY
Harry Styles. (Shutterstock)
Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo have become the latest mega-celebrities to join rocker Bruce Springsteen in standing up against President Donald Trump.
Just days after Springsteen called Trump "corrupt, incompetent and treasonous" from an English stage — and got hit by a veiled threat in return — the two singers joined 250 others in putting their name to opposition to the president’s policies.
In an advert posted in the New York Times, first reported by Rolling Stone, they stood up against Trump’s plan to crush Planned Parenthood by slashing its funding grants.
The ad reads, “I’m for Planned Parenthood because I’m for freedom… because I’m for healthcare… because I’m for you and me — not the government — deciding what care we need and where we can get it."
Other stars publicly endorsing it included Pedro Pascal, Addison Rae, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, Meghan Trainor and Cyndi Lauper.
The full list can be found here.
Trump has been furious over celebrity criticism of himself and his policies in recent days, launching a war of words on Springsteen and threatening investigations into Beyoncé and Oprah Winfrey for their endorsements of his election opponent Kamala Harris.
Last week, Springsteen told a crowd during his United Kingdom tour: “In my home America, the America I've written about that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, it is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.”
Trump clapped back: “This dried out ‘prune’ of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, that’s just ‘standard fare.”
“Then we’ll all see how it goes for him!”
Springsteen’s stance has been backed by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and singer Neil Young.
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