The “Born in the U.S.A.” singer is one of the few cultural figures to openly aim at the Trump administration, having supported his opponent in the 2024 elections.
Bruce Springsteen delivered a fiery speech on May 14, criticizing Donald Trump and his administration at a concert in Manchester. The backlash was swift, with some fans even suggesting he should leave the country.
Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of his “The Land of Hopes and Dreams” tour at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on May 14, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
The singer made the remarks on stage in Manchester while opening his “Land of Hope and Dreams” tour alongside the E Street Band.
During the show, Springsteen
told
the crowd, “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.”
He
continued
with a rallying call, “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’s
remarks sparked immediate reactions online, with fans weighing in from both sides. One fan seemed baffled by the move,
writing
,
“You can’t criticize your president in front of a foreign audience. I don’t understand why the model doesn’t hold up.”
Another person
disapproved
,
“Would never do that in America [sic],”
while someone else
called
him out,
“Dude is clueless.”
The backlash continued with a fan
asking
,
“Has he lost his mind ????”
and another
adding
a touch of sarcasm,
“Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”
Some went as far as
suggesting
,
“Time to move away Bruce. Take your negativity with you.”
Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of his “The Land of Hopes and Dreams” tour at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on May 14, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Still, not everyone was critical. One supporter
praised
him,
“Amazing words – thank you, Bruce!”
Another fan
echoed
that sentiment,
“I love Bruce and his heartfelt rants. I wish more artists would speak up.”
Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of his “The Land of Hopes and Dreams” tour at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on May 14, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
In the 2024 election, Springsteen
announced his support
for
Kamala Harris
and Tim Walz, positioning them as the candidates best suited to lead the country through what he described as one of the most consequential moments in its history. He clarified that he was firmly against Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Reflecting on the nation’s state, Springsteen suggested that the US had not felt so politically, emotionally, and spiritually divided since the Civil War. Still, he believed unity was possible and that the shared values and collective stories that once defined America could be reclaimed.
Bruce Springsteen performs during the first night of his “The Land of Hopes and Dreams” tour at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on May 14, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
“Now, that will take time, hard work and intelligence, faith and woman and men with the national good guiding their hearts,” he
acknowledged
.
Springsteen emphasized that America’s true strength went beyond its military or economic might. To him, what made the country powerful were its core values — freedom, social justice, equal opportunity, and the right to love without restrictions.
Bruce Springsteen performs during “People Have the Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith” presented by Michael Dorf at Carnegie Hall in New York City, on March 26, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
He
described
Trump as the “most dangerous candidate for president” he had seen in his lifetime. “His disdain for the sanctity of our Constitution, the sanctity of democracy, the sanctity of the rule of law and the sanctity of the peaceful transfer of power should disqualify him from the office of president ever again,” Springsteen
declared
.
The singer argued that
Donald Trump
failed to grasp the essence of the nation, its history, or what it truly meant to be American.
Donald Trump and JD Vance arrive for a ceremony with the College Football Playoff National Champions Ohio State Buckeyes on the South Lawn of the White House on April 14, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
“On the other hand, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are committed to a vision of this country that respects and includes everyone, regardless of class, religion, race, your political point of view or sexual identity, and they want to grow our economy in a way that benefits all, not just the few, like me, on top. That’s the vision of America I’ve been consistently writing about for 55 years,”
noted
Springsteen.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, wave to the crowd during a rally at Burns Park in Ann Arbor on October 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
He wrapped up his message by acknowledging that every American was entitled to their own political stance. Still, he said his vote, something he considered one of his most valuable possessions, would go to Harris and Walz.
Even though Trump ultimately won the election and Springsteen’s
preferred candidates
didn’t prevail, the singer has not backed down from using his voice.
He continues to speak out about what he believes are the dangers Trump and his administration pose, urging Americans to reflect on the values that once unified the nation.
Before Springsteen’s comments made headlines, actor Robert De Niro had already reignited political debate with a bold speech at the Cannes Film Festival. On May 13, the acclaimed actor accepted an honorary Palme d’Or for lifetime achievement, using his moment on stage to go beyond gratitude.
De Niro blended reflections on his career with sharp political criticism, directly aimed at Trump
.
Honoree Robert De Niro walks onstage during the opening ceremony at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais de Festival on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
The movie star was presented with the award by the “Titanic” star, Leonardo DiCaprio. The recognition comes 14 years after De Niro served as Jury President at the prestigious film festival in 2011.
During his acceptance speech, De Niro
addressed
political developments in the US, specifically referencing Trump.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro during the opening ceremony at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
He
stated
, “In my country, we are fighting like [expletive] for the democracy we once took for granted.” He
added
, “That affects all of us here because the arts are democratic.”
De Niro
emphasized
the connection between the arts and democratic values, “That’s why we are a threat to autocrats and fascists.”
Robert De Niro accepts the honorary Palme d’Or onstage during the opening ceremony at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais de Festival on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
He continued his remarks by pointing to the US president’s recent appointment and policy proposals. “America’s philistine president has had himself appointed head of one of our premier cultural institutions,” De Niro
said
, referring to the POTUS being named chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, D.C. | Source: Getty Images
The “Goodfellas” alum also
criticized
the 47th US president’s announcement of new tariffs, “He has cut funding and support to the arts, humanities, and education, and now he has announced a 100 per cent tariff on films that are produced outside the US.”
After a brief pause, he
told
the crowd, “Let that sink in for a minute.”
Robert De Niro speaks onstage during the opening ceremony at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais de Festival on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
Calling the situation unacceptable, De Niro urged action beyond American borders. “All these attacks are unacceptable. And this isn’t just an American problem, it’s a global one,” he
said
.
He closed this portion of his speech with a
call to action
. “Like a film, we can’t just all sit back and watch. We have to act, and we have to act now without violence but with great passion and determination. It’s time for anyone who cares about liberty to organise, to protest, and when there are elections, of course, to vote.”
As expected, De Niro’s speech drew a wide range of reactions on social media platforms. On TikTok, several comments captured the intensity of his message.
One person
wrote
,
“Who hurt him?”
Another
added
,
“A man with courage.”
A third
commented
,
“Words are powerful when spoken with conviction.”
Robert De Niro is pictured onstage during the opening ceremony at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais de Festival on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, opinions varied significantly on Facebook. One netizen
wrote
,
“Very well said. Powerful speech.”
Another
commented
,
“Shame on him.”
A different person reacted by
saying
,
“This guy is insane Out of touch completely [sic],”
while someone else
noted
,
“So disrespectful [sic].”
There were also supportive remarks,
including
,
“Very well spoken by Mr DeNiro. We need to take this seriously and fight back.”
However, criticism continued with another
stating
,
“He is a joke.”
Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro are pictured during the opening ceremony at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Grand Theatre Lumiere on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
In the lead-up to the event, De Niro
shared
his thoughts on receiving the honor. “I have such close feelings for Festival de Cannes…” he
declared
. “Especially now when there’s so much in the world pulling us apart, Cannes brings us together — storytellers, filmmakers, fans, and friends. It’s like coming home.”
Robert De Niro poses during the photo call at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
He was accompanied on the red carpet by his 45-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. Also present with the couple was his daughter, Helen Grace.
Robert De Niro and Tiffany Chen attend the red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
His daughter was
born via surrogate
in December 2011. At the time, De Niro’s representative confirmed to People magazine that he and his then-wife, Grace Hightower, had welcomed a baby girl.
Tiffany Chen, Robert De Niro, and Helen Grace De Niro attend the red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 13, 2025, in France | Source: Getty Images
She weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces at birth and is the former couple’s second child, joining her older brother, Elliot.
At the time of Helen’s birth, De Niro was a father to four other children: daughter Drena and son Raphael with former wife Diahnne Abbott, as well as twin sons Julian and Aaron, born via surrogate with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith.
