Donald Trump has taken a swing at Bruce Springsteen with a golf meme, as their spat continues.
The U.S. President posted the clip on his Truth Social platform, showing him hitting a drive and then cutting to a clip of Springsteen falling over after seemingly being hit by Trump’s ball.
Springsteen and Trump have been embroiled in a long-simmering feud.
Last week Springsteen, launching his European tour in the United Kingdom, lambasted Trump as leading a “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.” Trump, in turn, dismissed Springsteen as a “dried out prune of a rocker” and questioned the legality of his and Beyoncé’s campaign appearances for Vice President Kamala Harris last fall.
Why It Matters
There are some similarities between the two men. Both enjoy big constituencies among white American men, middle-aged and older.
Springsteen has long addressed social justice and the working class in his lyrics. Trump, meanwhile, has large swathes of support among America’s white working class.
However, Springsteen has consistently endorsed Democrat candidates running against Trump.
Bruce Springsteen performs at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Oct. 28, 2024, in Philadelphia.
Bruce Springsteen performs at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Oct. 28, 2024, in Philadelphia.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File
What To Know
Springsteen’s remarks came during a concert in Manchester, England, where he said, “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.”
“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,” he added.
He followed up the next evening, reiterating his concerns about what he described as a “rogue government” and an “unfit president.”
Trump responded in characteristically combative style. “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,” Trump 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.”
Trump also floated the idea that Springsteen’s and Beyoncé’s campaign appearances could warrant investigation as potentially illegal in-kind political donations.
What People Are Saying
Springsteen’s remarks drew support from Canadian-American musician Neil Young, who posted on his website: “Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America. You worry about that instead of the dyin’ kids in Gaza. That’s your problem.”
Young added, “Taylor Swift is right. So is Bruce. You are worried more about yourself than AMERICA.”
Alan Light, a veteran music journalist and author of the forthcoming book Don’t Stop: Why We (Still) Love Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, told The Associated Press that Springsteen has long been clear about his politics. “He’s somebody who has been outspoken in his music and his actions,” Light said. He added that Springsteen’s statements this week showed he wasn’t afraid to speak out “at a time when so many people and institutions are just kind of rolling over.”
President Donald Trump speaks during an event to present law enforcement officers with an award in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, May 19, 2025.
President Donald Trump speaks during an event to present law enforcement officers with an award in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, May 19, 2025.
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
What’s Next
While Trump made a point to reference Springsteen criticizing America’s president in a foreign country, he and the E Street Band haven’t performed in the United States since before the 2024 election. He has several further European tour dates scheduled this year into July and hasn’t announced any new American shows.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
