Bruce Springsteen’s union is defending his right to criticize the White House after President Donald Trump urged supporters on Thursday to boycott the rocker’s concerts.
The leaders of two high-profile American Federation of Musicians Locals issued a statement on Thursday hours after the president posted a blistering social media post about Springsteen calling him “a total loser” and urging supporters to “BOYCOTT HIS OVERPRICED CONCERTS, WHICH SUCK” following Springsteen’s latest criticisms of Trump.
Local 802 president Dan Point and Local 47 president Marc Sazer said they could “not remain silent as one of our most celebrated members is singled out and personally attacked by the President of the United States.”
They added, “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.”
The union leaders also defended musicians’ right to freedom of expression and said they “stand in complete solidarity with Bruce and every member who uses their platform to speak their conscience.”
Though the enmity between Trump and Springsteen is nothing new, their feud has reached new heights in the aftermath of the ICE crackdown in Minnesota and the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Following Pretti and Good’s deaths, Springsteen released an ICE protest song describing their actions in Minnesota as “state terror.”
Springsteen then performed that song at the “No Kings” protest in St. Paul, Minnesota on March 28. A few days later, as he launched his latest tour in Minneapolis, he railed against “a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous administration” and led an “ICE out now!” chant.
Springsteen belongs to two Locals of the more than 80,000-member AFM, Local 399 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Local 47 in Los Angeles.
