Jon Bon Jovi has opened up about the “seriously scarring” feud he had with Donald Trump back in 2014.
In an interview with The Guardian, Bon Jovi revealed that the bizarre tussle started when he outbid Trump in an attempt to buy NFL team the Buffalo Bills.
Shortly after the successful bid, anti-Bon Jovi sentiment became rife in the town of Buffalo, New York, with “Bon Jovi- free” zones and insulting graffiti lining the streets.
As reported by The Guardian, the negativity stemmed from the rumour that Bon Jovi and his partners wanted to move the team out of the city.
Despite Bon Jovi denying the claims, the team was ultimately bought by a third bidder.
Years later, it emerged that the anti-Bon Jovi campaign had been started by political strategist Michael Caputo, who according to The Guardian was hired by Trump.
“I was really shocked at the depths [Trump] went to,” Bon Jovi explained.
Love Classic Rock?
Get the latest Classic Rock news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more
“He wasn’t even qualified to buy the team, because you have to submit your tax returns, and he never filed the paperwork. Instead, he did this dark shadow assassination thing, hoping to buy the team at a bargain-basement price. But I just couldn’t understand how this misinformation was being put out there. It was seriously scarring,” he said.
Bon Jovi went on to add that he perhaps should have let Trump get the team “for the sake of the world,” given that he decided to run for president shortly after losing the bid.
When asked how he felt about Trump eventually becoming president, he said: “Well, like all Americans, I have to support the office of the president – look how political I’m sounding! I’m trying to stop myself from bullshitting. The truth is, I was really disappointed.”
Bon Jovi also insisted that he would never have allowed Trump to use his music during political campaigns.
“On every issue we wholeheartedly disagree, from how he handled the Covid crisis to immigration to the Paris accord – everything!”
Check out ‘It’s My Life’ by Bon Jovi:
