PTBP Web Desk
legendary rock star Bruce Springsteen dropped a six-track extended play (EP) on Wednesday, titled Land of Hope and Dreams, which not only showcases his classic musical brilliance but also includes strong political commentary. The surprise release came as Springsteen continues his global tour under the same name, and has since stirred controversy due to his scathing criticism of US President Donald Trump.
Four of the tracks on the EP are live recordings from a recent performance in Manchester, England, on May 14, 2025. The standout feature of the EP is Springsteen’s unfiltered critique of what he describes as a “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration,” a remark widely understood to be targeting Trump, even though he does not name him directly.
While introducing his iconic songs Land of Hope and Dreams and My City in Ruins, Springsteen addressed the audience with passionate statements about the current state of American politics. Speaking in Manchester, he declared,
“In my home, the America I love — the America I have 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 followed this by urging his listeners to take a stand:
“Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experience to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism, and let freedom ring.”
The remarks received massive applause from the audience and have since gone viral on social media platforms, stirring both praise and backlash.
In a now-notorious reaction, Donald Trump, the president and likely 2024 Republican nominee, took to his social media platform Truth Social to launch a personal attack on Springsteen. He labeled the 75-year-old rocker an “obnoxious JERK” in all caps and later shared a bizarre video edited to depict him hitting Springsteen with a golf ball — a move many have condemned as childish and disrespectful.
The president didn’t stop there. In a dramatic escalation earlier this week, Trump called for a “major investigation” into Springsteen, along with global pop icon Beyoncé and several other celebrities. He claimed — without any supporting evidence — that these stars were paid millions of dollars to endorse his Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is now the party’s leading candidate for the 2024 election. These accusations have been widely dismissed by media outlets and denied by the celebrities’ representatives.
Springsteen, long known for his progressive views and advocacy for working-class Americans, didn’t hold back in another track intro included in the EP. He stated:
“In America, they are persecuting people for using their right to free speech and voicing their dissent.”
He also spoke against what he described as the “sadistic pleasure” of certain government actions, particularly policies that negatively affect migrants, the poor, and blue-collar workers.
The introduction led into a powerful live performance of My City in Ruins, where Springsteen repeatedly sang, “Come on, rise up!”—transforming the stage into a call for unity and resistance.
Springsteen’s political activism is nothing new. Known as The Boss, he has often used his platform to address social and political issues, especially those affecting everyday Americans. His songs like Born in the U.S.A. and The Rising have become anthems for workers, veterans, and communities struggling in post-industrial America.
His criticism of Trump echoes sentiments he has voiced in previous years. Back in 2020, he supported Joe Biden and criticized Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial tensions, and immigration. The latest EP simply adds fuel to the fire in a politically charged environment ahead of the 2024 elections.
Since its release, Land of Hope and Dreams has seen a sharp increase in streams across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Political commentators, music critics, and fans have praised Springsteen for taking a stand, while conservative figures have accused him of using his celebrity status to sway political opinion.
Interestingly, the EP also sparked new interest in Springsteen’s previous work. Tracks like Born to Run and The River have climbed up trending charts again, signaling that The Boss continues to resonate across generations.
