Musicians Union Backs Springsteen After Trump Attack
The American Federation of Musicians has publicly rallied behind Bruce Springsteen after President Donald Trump took aim at the singer in a social media post, escalating a long-running political clash. The statement, issued by two union chapter presidents, frames Trump’s remarks as a personal attack on a prominent member and a broader issue of artistic expression.
Rolling Stone reported that the presidents of AFM Local 802 in Manhattan and Local 47 in Los Angeles released a joint statement supporting Springsteen following Trump’s Truth Social comments, which included insults about Springsteen’s singing and urged supporters to boycott him.
In the statement, Local 802 president Dan Point and Local 47 president Marc Sazer said the union “can not remain silent” while Springsteen is “singled out and personally attacked,” calling him “a voice for working people” and “a symbol of American resilience.” They also emphasised that musicians have a right to freedom of expression and said the locals stand “in complete solidarity” with members who use their platforms to speak their conscience.
The dispute comes as Springsteen has started the Land of Hope and Dreams tour, which he previously signalled would be political. At the opening show in Minnesota, he delivered a sharply worded speech criticising the current administration and urging audiences to choose “hope over fear” and “democracy over authoritarianism.” The White House, through a representative quoted in the report, declined to engage beyond referring questions back to the President’s post.
Trump’s comments followed the start of the tour and echoed previous White House criticisms, while Springsteen has said he is not worried about blowback and views it as part of his cultural role. Alternative Nation recently covered the moment when the President called for a boycott of Springsteen’s tour, which has now prompted formal union support.
How the dispute plays out may depend less on any official response and more on the continuing public back-and-forth, as Springsteen’s tour moves forward and the musicians union signals it will defend members’ speech rights when they come under attack.
