The American Federation of Musicians has defended Bruce Springsteen after he was targeted by US President Donald Trump on social media this week.
After blasting the President on the opening night of his tour, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to label The Boss as a “bad, and very boring singer,” among other insults, and urged his followers to boycott the music icon’s current US tour.
In a joint statement reported by Rolling Stone, Dan Point, president of the AFM’s Local 802 in Manhattan, and Marc Sazer, president of Local 47 in Los Angeles, defended Springsteen’s right to free speech.
“We can not remain silent as one of our most celebrated members is singled out and personally attacked by the President of the United States,” Point and Sazer said.
“Bruce Springsteen is not just a brilliant musician, he is a voice for working people, a symbol of American resilience, and an inspiration to millions in this country and around the world.
“From Nebraska to Born to Run, his music has spoken truth to power for decades, and that is exactly what he is doing now. Musicians have the right to freedom of expression, and we stand in complete solidarity with Bruce and every member who uses their platform to speak their conscience.”
When asked for comment, a representative for the White House simply told Rolling Stone, “We refer you to the President’s TRUTH.”
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In a recent interview, Springsteen promised the tour was going to be political, saying: “I don’t know of another time when the country has been as critically challenged and our basic ideas and values as critically challenged as they are right now. I’d have to go back to 1968 when I was 18 years old to another moment when it felt like the country was so on edge and like it felt there was simply so much at stake as far as who we are and the country we want to be and the people we want to be. It’s a critical, critical moment.”
Springsteen’s latest set has also included his new protest song, “Streets of Minneapolis”.
The track, released on January 28th, was inspired by recent fatal shootings by ICE agents during protests in the city, with the lyrics referencing the death of Renée Nicole Macklin Good. Springsteen and Morello first performed the song together publicly at a ‘Defend Minnesota’ benefit concert on January 30th.
