Bruce Springsteen has never been one to bite his tongue — and in a powerful new interview with The New York Times, the rock icon doesn’t mince words. America under Donald Trump, he says, is living through a “tragedy,” and the former president himself? “A moron.”
Currently touring the world with his Land of Hope & Dreams Tour, Springsteen explains that each setlist is more than music — it's a commentary on the state of the country. “We’re witnessing an American tragedy,” he says. “The collapse of industry and the rise of extreme inequality have left millions behind. The ground was ripe for a demagogue — and somehow, unbelievably, this moron fit the role.”
Reflecting on the early weeks of Trump’s second term, Springsteen doesn’t hold back: “We used to say, ‘That could never happen here, not in America.’ And yet… here we are.”
His anger is especially pointed when it comes to immigration. Springsteen denounces ICE raids and anti-immigrant rhetoric as “disgusting” and “a tragedy,” emphasizing how deeply immigrants have shaped the country. “Anyone who lives in America knows — immigrants have transformed this nation in creative, vibrant ways,” he says, pointing to his own hometown of Freehold, New Jersey, now revitalized by immigrant communities.
Despite the criticism, Springsteen still holds onto a flicker of hope: “We have a deep democratic tradition. We’re not an authoritarian state. I believe that tradition will reassert itself. We’ll find our way back.”
The feud between Springsteen and Trump has been simmering for years — a saga of sharp words, public jabs, and mutual disdain. But The Boss shows no signs of slowing down. With new songs, a relentless tour schedule, and his voice firmly in the fight, he continues to sing for what hurts in America — and for what might still save it.
