Bruce Sprinsteen (right), long a political opponent of the president, stood up as one of Trump's most prominent cultural critics last week with a verbal takedown. Photos: AP
They have some similarities, Bruce Springsteen and Donald Trump - guys in their 70s with homes in New Jersey and big constituencies among white American men middle-aged and older. And both, in very different respects, are the boss.
That's about where it ends.
The rock star, long a political opponent of the president, stood up as one of Trump's most prominent cultural critics last week with a verbal takedown from a British stage.
As is his nature, Trump is fighting back - hard. He calls Springsteen a "dried out prune of a rocker” and is even bringing Beyonce into the fray.
On Monday, the president suggested Springsteen and Beyonce should be investigated to see if appearances they made on behalf of his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, last fall represented an illegal campaign donation.
Opening a tour in Manchester, England, Springsteen told his audience last Thursday that "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 added, "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."
Springsteen later made reference to an "unfit president and a rogue government” who have "no concern or idea for what it means to be deeply American.”
The next morning, Trump called Springsteen highly overrated. "Never liked him, never liked his music or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he's not a talented guy - just a pushy, obnoxious JERK,” he wrote on social media.
"This dried out prune of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back in the Country,” he said.
The next night, also in Manchester, Springsteen repeated his criticisms.
"It's no surprise what Springsteen's political leanings are and have been for many decades,” said music writer Alan Light, author of the upcoming Don't Stop: Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. "He's somebody who has been outspoken in his music and his actions.” – AP
