Blog

Donald Trump Demands Major Investigation into Bruce Springsteen and Musicians Supporting Kamala Harris

Donald Trump Demands Major Investigation into Bruce Springsteen and Musicians Supporting Kamala Harris

Valeriy Bagrintsev Valeriy Bagrintsev
5 minute read

Donald Trump Demands Major Investigation into Bruce Springsteen and Musicians Supporting Kamala Harris

Donald Trump calls for a major investigation into Bruce Springsteen and other musicians backing Kamala Harris amid allegations of illegal campaign payments.

Trump Targets Bruce Springsteen and Pro-Harris Musicians

Former President Donald Trump has stirred the political pot by calling for a “major investigation” into Bruce Springsteen and other artists who supported Vice President Kamala Harris. This move follows a series of passionate speeches Springsteen delivered in Manchester, where he openly criticized Trump and his administration.

Donald Trump and Bruce Springsteen. Credits - Win McNamee/Getty Images and Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images

Springsteen’s Manchester show became a platform for him to voice his frustrations about what he described as “corruption” and “incompetence” within the current US government. These remarks did not sit well with Trump, who retaliated by accusing Springsteen of accepting illegal campaign contributions disguised as entertainment fees during Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign efforts.

Accusations of Illegal Campaign Contributions

Trump fired off his accusations on his social media platform, Truth Social, questioning the legality of payments that he claims Harris made to Springsteen for his “poor performance” during her campaign. He expanded his claims to include other high-profile musicians like Beyoncé, Bono, and even Oprah Winfrey.

“HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT? WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS? ISN’T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? WHAT ABOUT BEYONCÉ? …AND HOW MUCH WENT TO OPRAH, AND BONO??? I am going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment. In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds. IT’S NOT LEGAL! For these unpatriotic “entertainers,” this was just a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”
— Donald Trump

While Trump’s claims are bold and direct, none of them have been substantiated with evidence in his posts or elsewhere.

Repeated Criticism and Springsteen’s Response

vertical-banner-ad.jpg

This is the second time Trump has publicly attacked Springsteen following his critical speeches. Earlier, Trump had labeled the musician a “dried out ‘prune’” after his Manchester performance.

Springsteen opened that concert with his powerful anthem ‘Land of Hope and Dreams,’ addressing the crowd:

“It’s great to be in Manchester and back in the UK. Welcome to the Land of Hope and Dreams Tour! The mighty E St. Band is here tonight to call upon the righteous power of art, of music, of rock ‘n roll in dangerous times.”

He continued with a pointed critique of America’s leadership:

“In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration. Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring!”

Bruce Springsteen performing ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’ in Manchester

Watch Bruce Springsteen’s stirring performance, "Land of Hope and Dreams":

Before performing ‘House of a Thousand Guitars,’ Springsteen reminded the audience of the power of people:

“The last check, the last check on power after the checks and balances of government have failed are the people, you and me. It’s in the union of people around a common set of values now that’s all that stands between a democracy and authoritarianism. At the end of the day, all we’ve got is each other.”

Longstanding Opposition and Endorsement

Bruce Springsteen has never been shy about his political views. He openly endorsed Kamala Harris during the last presidential election and even performed at one of her rallies. Over the years, he has not held back describing Trump as “mentally ill” and has used his platform to campaign for democracy and justice.

Immediately after Trump’s election victory, Springsteen opened a show with a “fighting prayer,” underscoring his commitment to activism through music.

Musicians’ Union Stands Behind Springsteen and Swift

The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) stepped in to defend Springsteen and Swift after Trump’s social media attacks. AFM President Tino Gagliardi issued a strong statement:

“[We] will not remain silent as two of our members—Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift—are singled out and personally attacked by the President of the United States. Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift are not just brilliant musicians, they are role models and inspirations to millions of people in the United States and across the world.”

Conclusion

The clash between Donald Trump and musicians like Bruce Springsteen highlights how art and politics often collide in today's charged atmosphere. Whether or not there’s any truth behind Trump’s call for an investigation, the situation raises questions about the role of artists in political campaigns and the boundaries of lawful endorsements.

FAQ

  • What exactly is Donald Trump accusing Bruce Springsteen of?
    Trump alleges that Springsteen was paid illegally by Kamala Harris for campaign endorsements disguised as entertainment payments.
  • Has any evidence been provided to support these claims?
    No, Trump’s claims have not been supported by any concrete evidence to date.
  • How did Bruce Springsteen express his political views recently?
    He criticized Trump and his administration during his Manchester concert with impassioned speeches and songs calling for democracy.
  • Are other musicians involved in this controversy?
    Yes, Trump also mentioned artists like Beyoncé, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Taylor Swift in his accusations.
  • How has the music industry responded to Trump’s accusations?
    The American Federation of Musicians defended Springsteen and Swift, highlighting their positive influence and rejecting the President’s personal attacks.

Ready to showcase your passion for iconic music and political moments? Shop your favorite album cover posters and exclusive prints at our store to bring legendary vibes into your space!

DISCOUNT

GET 30% OFF*

Use code on your next order:

EXTRA30

WHEN YOU BUY 3+ ITEMS*

 SHOP NOW & SAVE → 

* This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you.

« Back to Blog