Why is Bruce Springsteen being sued by President Trump? Drama explained

Donald Trump and Bruce Springsteen’s dispute continues as the singer announces he is being sued by the president for alleged defamation.

Springsteen recently made critical remarks about the current administration during his ongoing tour. He is now accused of making “false, malicious, and damaging statements,” according to documents filed in federal court in New Jersey.

Back in May, during his performance in Manchester, Britain, the veteran rock singer told the crowd:

“The America I love, the America I’ve written about that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.”

He reiterated his views it a surprise EP release. In response, Trump criticized him for being overrated.

“Never liked him, never liked his music or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he’s not a talented guy — just a pushy, obnoxious JERK,” he penned on social media at the time. “This dried out prune of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back in the Country.”

Trump sues Bruce Springsteen for defamation: Here’s what we know so far

As reported by The Guardian back in May, the president made several heated comments. He also shared a video edited to make it look like he was beating Bruce Springsteen, 75, with a golf drive. He also called for a “major investigation” into the singer, alongside several other celebrities who backed Kamala Harris. He accused them of accepting millions of dollars to endorse her.

“ISN’T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION?” he questioned on his Truth Social platform. : “HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT?. WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS? ISN’T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? WHAT ABOUT BEYONCÉ? …AND HOW MUCH WENT TO OPRAH, AND BONO???"

He went, on,

“I am going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment. In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds. IT’S NOT LEGAL! For these unpatriotic “entertainers,” this was just a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!”

Bruce Springsteen has since doubled down on his own sentiments as well. Just this June 3, during a performance in Philadelphia, he slammed Trump for being “a conman who tried to hijack democracy and sell it back to us at a profit.” These comments have also been cited in the latter’s filing. Bruce alleges that the president “represents the very worst of America’s past dressed up as its future.”

Per the lawsuit, these statements were "knowingly false and intended to harm Mr. Trump’s reputation and influence," especially seeing as Trump is actively in the bid for a 2028 reelection.

Trump is also claiming that Bruce Springsteen’s remarks have resulted in “irreparable damage” to the president’s public standing. However, the singer is dismissing the lawsuit as “another bullying tactic” from someone who can’t stand opposition, several outlets have reported.

"Springsteen has been lying about me for years. Enough is enough. You can’t just call someone a criminal without evidence and expect no consequences. This is America, not a rock concert," Trump claims in his filing.

As of this writing, it remains to be seen which direction Donald Trump’s case against Bruce Springsteen proceeds. His comments may be protected under the First Amendment.

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