Eddie Vedder again defends Bruce Springsteen amid Donald Trump’s investigation
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder expressed his support for Bruce Springsteen once again on May 18th during a concert in Pittsburgh.
During their show at the same venue on May 16th, Vedder subtly backed Springsteen by covering his classic song ‘My City of Ruins’ during the encore of Pearl Jam’s concert.
Then, two days later, when Pearl Jam returned to the PPG Paints Arena for the final night of their Dark Matter world tour, Vedder issued a rallying cry to those in attendance to get behind ‘The Boss’ amid Trump’s threats.
He said Trump’s “response had nothing to do with the issues” raised by Springsteen regarding policy when he attacked the politician during a recent show in Manchester.
Vedder continued: “They didn’t talk about one of those issues, they didn’t have a conversation about one of those issues. They didn’t debate about any one of those issues. All that we heard were personal attacks and threats that nobody else should try to use their microphones or voice in public or they’ll be shut down.”
The war of words began when Springsteen criticised Trump during his show at Manchester’s Co-op Live on May 14th, telling the crowd, “In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, and has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration.”
Trump then responded by writing on Truth Social, “Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he’s not a talented guy — Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK”.
He also labelled Springsteen “dumb as a rock” for his support of President Joe Biden while he was in office before seemingly threatening the singer, adding, “This dried out “prune” of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, that’s just “standard fare.” Then we’ll all see how it goes for him!”
On May 17th, Springsteen responded to Trump when he returned to the stage at the Co-op Live and stood firm, defiantly stating, “Things are happening right now that are altering the very nature of our country’s democracy, and they’re too important to ignore.”
Trump has since escalated the feud by announcing a “major investigation” into whether Springsteen was paid to perform at two rallies for the Democratic Party ahead of last year’s election.
The Republican wrote: “Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment. In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds. IT’S NOT LEGAL! For these unpatriotic “entertainers,” this was just a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system.” There is no proof that Springsteen, or any other performer, was paid to endorse the Democrats.
Springsteen is set to perform at Manchester’s Co-op Live for the third and final time on May 20th.
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