Bruce Springsteen criticizes Donald Trump at Stephen Colbert's 'The Late Show.'
'President Who Can't Take a Joke': Bruce Springsteen Slams Trump During Stephen Colbert's Penultimate Show
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen made a major statement on the penultimate episode of Stephen Colbert's The Late Show.
Appearing as a special guest on the show, the singer defended Colbert, while boldly calling out President Donald Trump.
Before playing a slow, acoustic version of his protest song, Streets of Minneapolis, Springsteen addressed the audience to explain exactly why he wanted to be there.
"I’m here in support tonight for Stephen, because you are the first guy in America who lost his show because we got a president who can't take a joke… and because Larry and David Ellison feel they need to kiss his a– to get what they want," Springsteen said.
"Stephen, these are small-minded people. They got no idea what the freedoms of this beautiful country are supposed to be about," he added.
Bruce Springsteen performed at the penultimate episode of 'The Late Show.'
The crowd erupted in cheers as the rock star finished his speech and dedicated his performance to the departing host.
'A Threat to American Democracy'
This is not the first time Springsteen has spoken out against Trump. Over the years, he has been a very vocal critic of the president's actions and policies. During Trump's previous term in office, the musician publicly called his administration "a threat to American democracy," according to The Wrap.
He has also heavily criticized Trump's approach to immigration and civil rights, frequently using his music and stage presence to voice his disagreements.
Streets of Minneapolis was written as a protest song against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which he wrote after the deaths of Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti during federal immigration operations in Minneapolis earlier this year.
This was Springsteen’s fourth appearance on The Late Show. Before this, he had sit-downs with Colbert in 2016 and 2020, as well as a 2021 show where he participated in The Colbert Questionert and performed songs from his album The River.
Coincidentally, he also made an unexpected appearance as the musical guest on the last episode of Late Night with David Letterman in 1993. He also contributed to the farewell of Jon Stewart’s inaugural Daily Show run in 2015 with Land of Hope and Dreams and Born to Run.
Social Media Users React to Bruce Springsteen's Remarks
Many users on social media shared their reactions to Springsteen calling out Trump and his "idea of freedom."
Reacting to the clip, one user wrote, "I’ve never listened to Bruce Springsteen and I don’t know anyone who has either. lol."
Another stated, "People are fading into the abyss and have to use Trump to try and hang on. Colbert is gone and I wonder who is going to be next?"
An X user reacts to Bruce Springsteen's jibe at Donald Trump before the singer's performance at the penultimate episode of 'The Late Show.'
Many netizens slammed Springsteen for claiming that Colbert lost the show because of Trump.
One user wrote, "He lost his show because it was losing the network millions of dollars a year. He intentionally pi--ed off half of his potential audience."
Another pointed out, "Colbert got canceled because he spent years turning late night TV into a smug anti-Trump monologue that lost millions of viewers and ad dollars."
"He lost his show because he s*cks and is losing millions of dollars for CBS," commented one user.
An individual stated, "Well done Springsteen. Some people still have a backbone."