Trump Rips Bruce Springsteen With New Nickname
President Donald Trump with Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, at the White House, January, 2017. Photo by official White House photographer. Public domain.
On May 16, as 350,000 New Jersey commuters were left stranded by a massive train strike, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social. But instead of addressing the transportation meltdown, the President reportedly lashed out at three of America's most famous entertainers — Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé — launching a cultural tirade that quickly overshadowed the crisis at home.
It was the kind of social media spectacle we've come to expect from Trump — bombastic, attention-grabbing, and timed with uncanny precision. But the backlash, especially in a state grappling with a transportation meltdown, has raised serious questions about the President's priorities.
Musicians Under Fire, But Why?
"Has anyone noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?'" Trump wrote on Truth Social from Air Force One as he returned from a four-day trip overseas, according to The Guardian.
Within an hour, he followed up with a personal attack on Springsteen, writing "Sleepy Joe didn't have a clue as to what he was doing, but Springsteen is 'dumb as a rock,' and couldn't see what was going on, or could he (which is even worse!)? 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!" according to The Guardian.
Trump's verbal assaults were triggered by comments Springsteen made during a concert in Manchester, England. The legendary rocker criticized Trump's administration, saying, "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" and urged fans to resist what he described as rising authoritarianism in the U.S., according to Vanity Fair.
Springsteen, 75, has a long history of political activism and has openly supported Democratic candidates since the Obama years. He reportedly endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 and campaigned in Georgia before the general election.
Swift, meanwhile, has largely kept a low profile in 2025 after concluding her historic Eras Tour. However, her past support of Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024 earned her a permanent place on Trump's enemy list. In 2024, Swift called Harris "a steady-handed, gifted leader," according to the New York Post — a comment Trump has apparently never let go.
As for Beyoncé, Trump recently floated an unsubstantiated claim that she, Springsteen, and Bono were illegally paid for endorsing Harris during the 2024 election. According to the Independent, he wrote "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!!!"
Timing Is Everything
The optics of Trump's celebrity feud couldn't have come at a worse time for New Jersey. As commuters dealt with canceled trains and gridlocked roads, the state's most prominent political figure — the President — seemed more concerned with pop culture than policy.
Meanwhile, Springsteen's roots in the Garden State run deep: he was born in Long Branch, raised in Freehold, and built an entire musical legacy on stories about working-class New Jerseyans. To many, his criticism of Trump during a global tour came across as loyal patriotism — and the President's personal retaliation felt, at best, misplaced.
Even some conservative commentators questioned why Trump would escalate a feud with beloved cultural icons during a domestic crisis. For fans of Swift, Springsteen, and Beyoncé — not to mention voters in transit-dependent swing states — the episode raised fresh doubts about the President's focus.
Trump's base, however, seemed to revel in the jabs. His Truth Social posts drew hundreds of thousands of engagements, and allies like Kid Rock and Fox's Greg Gutfeld reportedly cheered on the attacks, with the former framing Springsteen's speech abroad as "punk move," according to Vanity Fair.
For now, none of the artists have responded publicly. But as the President leans further into cultural battles in an election year, one thing is certain: the stage is set for even more drama — and Trump, as always, plans to be the headline act.
References:Trump rips New Jersey icons Taylor Swift, 'prune' Bruce Springsteen — adding to Garden State's bad day | 'This dried out prune of a rocker': Donald Trump attacks Bruce Springsteen after musician's fiery speeches | Trump Calls Bruce Springsteen "Pushy, Obnoxious Jerk" After Springsteen Slams "Treasonous" Administration | Trump targets Beyoncé, Bono and 'The Boss' in social media rants against celebrities who backed Kamala Harris
