The ongoing dispute between President Donald Trump and Bruce Springsteen took a dramatic turn this week when the president shared a doctored video targeting the iconic rock musician.
According to the Daily Mail, the latest escalation follows a series of personal attacks and political accusations exchanged between the 78-year-old president and the 75-year-old "Born to Run" singer, deepening a public feud that has captured widespread attention online and in the media.
The clash was reignited on May 14 during a Bruce Springsteen concert in Manchester, England, where the singer unleashed sharp criticism against the Trump administration. Onstage, Springsteen referred to Trump as “an unfit president,” and labeled his leadership as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.”
Just days later, at another May 17 concert in the same city, Springsteen doubled down on his political views. He told the crowd that people in his country were being persecuted for exercising their right to dissent and speak freely.
President Trump responded to the criticisms through his social media platform Truth Social on May 20, describing Springsteen in disparaging terms. He called the performer “a dried out prune of a rocker” and “a pushy, obnoxious JERK,” igniting strong reactions from supporters and critics alike.
The tension escalated further a day later on May 21, when Trump posted a digitally altered video mocking Springsteen. The video features Trump taking a golf swing, followed by footage of Springsteen stumbling backward during a performance.
In the edited clip, a computer-generated golf ball appears to hit Springsteen in the back, suggesting that Trump’s imaginary swing caused the fall. The posted video quickly circulated across social media platforms, fueling debate over the ethics of using manipulated content in political discourse.
Although Trump did not publicly comment on the video’s authenticity, its impact was immediate, drawing both support and outrage depending on political affiliation and views of free expression versus online misinformation.
Before the video surfaced, Trump had also used Truth Social to accuse a group of celebrities, including Springsteen, of accepting illegal campaign contributions. He published a post around 2 a.m. on May 19, stating that authorities should investigate Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono for purportedly receiving money for supporting Kamala Harris during her 2024 election campaign.
Trump asked in the post how much Kamala Harris had allegedly paid Springsteen for what Trump called a poor campaign performance. He added that similar questions applied to the other celebrities named, though he presented no evidence for any of the claims.
Springsteen has not publicly responded to the accusations regarding campaign finances. However, he has long been a supporter of Democratic candidates and was a vocal advocate for Kamala Harris during her bid for the presidency.
Amid the controversy, the American Federation of Musicians issued a statement defending both Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift. In their response, the union called out Trump for singling out members of the musical community in public attacks.
Describing the two artists as “role models and inspirations,” the Federation emphasized their backing for artistic freedom and the rights of all musicians to speak openly. The organization pledged to stand by its members and not allow them to be “personally attacked by the President of the United States.”
Trump had previously aimed at Swift as well, writing on Truth Social that “since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ she’s no longer ‘HOT.’” Like with Springsteen, there was no formal provocation leading up to that remark.
The wider conflict between Trump and prominent entertainers points to deeper cultural and political divisions. Springsteen’s overt criticisms and Trump’s retaliatory tone reflect the turbulent state of American politics ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Springsteen remains one of the most high-profile artists to actively criticize Trump, and his recent comments in the UK have renewed discussions about the role of musicians in political dialogue. For his part, Trump continues to lean on social media and divisive rhetoric to target his critics.
As the feud unfolds, issues of media ethics, misinformation, and free speech remain at the forefront. The president’s video post, though possibly intended as satire or mockery, has reignited concerns about the limits of political discourse online.
