What did Trump say about Taylor Swift? Details explored as American Federation of Musicians issues statement in response to remarks

On May 16, 2025, former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social account to say that Taylor Swift is “no longer ‘HOT’” after he declared “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT” in late 2024. His post came during a break in a Middle East trip where he also criticized Bruce Springsteen as a “dried out prune”.

In response, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) issued a public statement defending both Swift and Springsteen as union members and affirming their right to speak freely. This article explains exactly what was said, how the union replied, where the feud began, and why it matters today.

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What Trump said about Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen and how the AFM responded

In his Truth Social feed on May 16, Trump wrote,

“Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ she’s no longer ‘HOT?’”.

He also called Bruce Springsteen “highly overrated” and a “pushy, obnoxious JERK,” adding that Springsteen is “dumb as a rock”. Earlier in the same post, he labeled Springsteen a “dried out prune,” echoing comments Springsteen made about the administration during a concert in Manchester.

Later on May 16, the AFM’s International President, Tino Gagliardi, released a statement saying,

“The American Federation of Musicians … will not remain silent as two of our members—Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift—are singled out and personally attacked by the President of the United States”.

He went on to say, “Musicians have the right to freedom of expression, and we stand in solidarity with all our members”.

The AFM noted that both artists belong to AFM locals, Swift in Nashville and Springsteen in Los Angeles and New Jersey, and deserve the same protections as other union members.

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How the feud between Trump and Swift began

Trump’s first public attack on Swift came in September 2024, soon after she endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. At that time, he posted,

“I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,”

And warned she would “pay a price for it in the marketplace”. Before 2024, Trump had praised Swift’s work in interviews, but her shift into political endorsements changed his tone.

Artists speaking out on politics has become more common, and when those artists are union members, their union may feel compelled to reply. The AFM’s statement shows a union stepping in to protect its members’ rights when a political figure singles them out.

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This incident highlights how social media posts from public figures can spark institutional responses and keeps the debate on artistic freedom and political expression alive as we move through 2025.

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