During a powerful performance in Berlin, veteran rock icon Bruce Springsteen didn’t hold back his criticism of the current U.S. leadership. Speaking to a crowd of tens of thousands at the historic Olympiastadion—originally built for the 1936 Olympic Games—Springsteen described the American administration under President Donald Trump as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.”
“Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices, stand with us against authoritarianism, and let freedom reign,” Springsteen told the audience, standing on a stage flanked by both American and German flags.
Known as “The Boss,” Springsteen has been increasingly vocal about his political views in recent tours, using his shows as a platform to raise awareness about issues affecting American democracy. At Wednesday’s concert, he referred to topics like immigration enforcement, the suspension of federal funding for universities, and public health challenges such as measles outbreaks—all projected with German subtitles on large screens for the local audience.
Despite his sharp critique, Springsteen conveyed optimism. “The America that I’ve sung to you about for the past 50 years of my life is real,” he said. “And regardless of its many faults, it’s a great country with great people. And we will survive this moment.”
His criticisms of Trump aren’t new. Just last month, during a concert in Manchester, Springsteen described the president as “unfit” and accused his government of being a “rogue” regime lacking any sense of true American values.
Berlin holds a special place in Springsteen’s history. In 1988, he was among the first major Western artists to perform in East Germany, drawing an audience of 160,000 hungry for rock music and the freedoms it symbolized. Speaking in German, he told the crowd, “I’m not here for or against any government. I’ve come to play rock ’n’ roll for you in the hope that one day all the barriers will be torn down.” He then performed a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom,” a song he also used to close Wednesday night’s concert.
Many credit that 1988 performance with helping to inspire the movements that eventually brought down the Berlin Wall the following year.
Now, nearly 40 years later, Springsteen continues to blend music and activism, using his voice to call out what he sees as threats to the values he’s spent a lifetime singing about.
