Bruce Springsteen Calls Trump an ‘American Tyrant’

Bruce Springsteen is making things clear: He’s voting for Vice President Kamala Harris. On Thursday night, The Boss took the stage at her campaign rally in Clarkston, Georgia, to perform three of his songs, and called Donald Trump an “American tyrant.”

Springsteen, dressed in blue jeans and a vest, took the stage as he strummed his guitar and played the harmonica while singing the lyrics to “The Promised Land” in front of the packed crowd.

“I’m Bruce Springsteen and I’m here to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for President and Vice President of the United States, and to oppose Donald Trump and JD Vance,” Springsteen said onstage. “I want a president who reveres the Constitution, who does not threaten but wants to protect and guide our great democracy, who believes in the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power, who will fight for a woman’s right to choose, and who wants to create a middle-class economy that will serve all our citizens.”

“There is only one candidate in this election who holds those principles dear: Kamala Harris,” Springsteen continued. “She’s running to be the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump is running to be an American tyrant. He does not understand this country, its history, or what it means to be deeply American. That’s why on November 5th, I’m casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.”

“I urge all of you who believe in the American way to join me. Thank you,” Springsteen said, before performing his song, “Land of Hope and Dreams” and teasing more “entertainment” as he started to sing his hit, “Dancing in the Dark.”

Actor Samuel L. Jackson, directors Spike Lee and Tyler Perry, and former President Barack Obama are expected to make appearances at the rally. Harris will also end the night with a speech.

Springsteen endorsed Harris in an Instagram video earlier this month, saying Harris and VP candidate Tim Walz (who’s a huge Springsteen fan) are “committed to a vision of this country that respects and includes everyone.”

Along with citing Harris’ and Walz’s commitment to inclusivity regardless of “class, religion, race, your political point of view, or sexual identity,” Springsteen said, “They want to grow our economy in a way that benefits all, not just the few like me on top. That’s the vision of America I’ve been consistently writing about for 55 years.”

Springsteen has regularly endorsed (and often campaigned for) Democratic candidates for years. He endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and called Trump a “moron” in a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone. In 2020 he gave his support to Joe Biden, even narrating and soundtracking a campaign ad for the future president.