Bruce Springsteen, a longtime critic of President Donald Trump, discussed his definition of true patriotism during his recent PBS special, "Bruce Springsteen: Finding America in Song." He described "critical patriotism" as loving one's country enough to acknowledge its faults and strive for improvement, saying, "I believe that’s the definition of a patriot, you know, that you love your country so much that you are willing to look at it clearly, recognize its faults, encourage it to be a better place, and believe that you carry in your heart the country that is waiting."

Springsteen has been openly critical of Trump for nearly a decade, initially voicing opposition while campaigning for Hillary Clinton. Earlier in 2026, he released "Streets of Minneapolis," an anti-ICE protest song honoring "innocent immigrant neighbors" and memorializing Alex Pretti and Renee Good, who were killed during immigration protests in Minneapolis.

During a recent concert in New Jersey, Springsteen urged his audience to choose "hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unbridled corruption, resistance over complacency, truth over lies, unity over division and peace over war."

In response, White House officials directed Fox News Digital to an April post from Trump on Truth Social, where the president called Springsteen a "bad, and very boring singer" suffering from "Trump Derangement Syndrome," and labeled him a "total loser who spews hate against a President who won a Landslide Election, including the popular vote, all Seven Swing States, and 86% of the Counties across America." Trump also urged MAGA supporters to boycott Springsteen's concerts, calling them "overpriced" and saying, "AMERICA IS BACK!!!"

This exchange marks the latest chapter in the ongoing feud between Springsteen and Trump.

Sources