Bruce Springsteen says his willingness to criticize the United States government is what makes him a patriot. He made the statement during his recent PBS special, "Bruce Springsteen: Finding America in Song," drawing a clear line between love of country and blind loyalty to it.
"I believe in critical patriotism," Springsteen said. "I believe that's the definition of a patriot, you know, that you love your country so much that you are willing to look at it clearly, recognize its faults, encourage it to be a better place, and believe that you carry in your heart the country that is waiting."
According to Variety, Springsteen recently wrapped up his "Land of the Hope and Dreams" tour, which featured protest songs and pointed commentary directed at the White House. At the tour opener in late March, he took aim at both President Trump and former Attorney General Pam Bondi. Of Bondi, he said: "She prosecutes our president's perceived enemies, covers up for his misdeeds and protects his powerful friends." He added of Trump: "You want to talk about snowflakes? We have a president who can't handle the truth."
Trump responded publicly on Truth Social, calling Springsteen a "Bad, and very boring singer" and describing him as someone who "looks like a dried up prune who has suffered greatly from the work of a really bad plastic surgeon." Trump wrote that Springsteen "has long had a horrible and incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome, sometimes referred to as TDS," and called him "a total loser who spews hate against a President who won a Landslide Election, including the popular vote, all Seven Swing States, and 86% of the Counties across America."
Trump also called for a MAGA boycott of Springsteen's music and concerts. Springsteen has not publicly responded to the boycott call.
