Watch: Viral moment captured at Manchester concert where Bruce Springsteen slams Trump

Bruce Springsteen is one of the most recognizable voices in the American music industry, and has been for decades.

His song “Born in the USA,” released during the Reagan administration in 1984, had a purpose: to denounce the failures of the American system, especially towards veterans and workers, using an apparent celebration to highlight hypocrisy. It is one of the great protest songs disguised as an anthem.

Politicians like Ronald Reagan tried to capitalize on the song and its popularity after its release, but Springsteen rejected these attempts. Springsteen criticizes Reagan’s empty nationalism and the abandonment of the working class within his political project in that classic song. Now, decades later, he is taking on President Donald Trump and the corruption within the American political system.

The tour Springsteen cancelled due to health issues, was aptly named, “Land of Hope and Dreams,” as a call to the forgotten values of his country’s founding principles.

Although Bruce Springsteen did not sing at Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2021, he did participate in the pre-event called “Celebrating America,” a special broadcast after the inauguration. He previously supported Barack Obama, with whom he shares a strong friendship, Kamala Harris, and before them, John Kerry in 2004.

Criticism of the Trump administration from the Boss

During a recent performance, the Boss turned his concert into a love letter to his country; one that he fears is being lost by the current administration.

“My home, the United States that I love, the United States I have written about and that has been a beacon of hope and freedom for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treacherous administration,” said Springsteen.

“Tonight, we ask everyone who believes in democracy and the best of our American experience to stand with us, raise their voices against authoritarianism, and let freedom ring.” The comments came as Springsteen begins his European tour.

The performer called attention to the plight of citizens and residents, who are being persecuted “for exercising their right to free speech and expressing dissent.”

“In America, the richest men are content to abandon the poorest children in the world to disease and death,” argued the singer in an emotional plea to his audience to pay attention to what is going on around them.

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