Overview

• Bruce Springsteen launched his 'Land of Hope & Dreams' European tour on May 14 in Manchester, delivering sharp critiques of the Trump administration to a sold-out crowd of over 20,000.
• Springsteen described the U.S. government as 'corrupt, incompetent, and treacherous,' urging audiences to defend democracy and resist authoritarianism.
• The tour, centered around Springsteen's 25-year-old anthem 'Land of Hope & Dreams,' highlights his evolving fanbase, with European demand surging as U.S. support wanes.
• E Street Band member Steven Van Zandt noted that political opposition to Trump has cost the band half of its U.S. audience, while their popularity in Europe has grown significantly.
• President Trump escalated the public exchange on May 16 by responding to Springsteen's remarks on Truth Social, further amplifying the tour's political undertones.