Bruce Springsteen had an understandably political message on the anniversary of 9/11 that has his fans roaring with cheers - and Chris Christie probably quietly weeping.
At a concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Boss took a moment in between songs to call Donald Trump out for trampling on the Constitution. He even got a little present for the Republican nominee - a song in his honor. Addressing the crowd, Springsteen explained:
“Somebody gave me a copy of the Constitution of the United States…it says ‘Fuck Trump’ on the front. This is for him.” The crowd reportedly went wild.
He then launched into a rendition of “Long Walk Home,” a song about an economically ravaged town with failing businesses. (Perhaps a pointed reference to Trump’s financial failures in Atlantic City?). Moreover, the title could also be interpreted as an overt call out to Trump’s electoral future.
If Trump and Chris Christie were heartbroken, Springsteen’s fans weren’t. Even as the concert went on, attendees lit up social media with praise for the decision to give Trump the middle finger.
"Somebody gave me a copy of the Constitution of the United States…it says 'Fuck Trump' on the front. This is for him" LONG WALK HOME
— Caryn Rose (@carynrose) September 12, 2016
HE DID IT. HE WENT THERE. #springsteen
— Caryn Rose (@carynrose) September 12, 2016
Long Walk Home into Backstreets is beautiful. #FuckTrump #Springsteen #TheRiverTour
— Sam Wilbur (@samwilbur) September 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/ThunderButty/status/775164818143576064
Go Bruce! @springsteen https://t.co/7iRzJiLYps
— Aliceann Grusin (@Aagrusin) September 12, 2016
I love Bruce Springsteen. Someone handed him a copy of the Constitution that said fuck trump on it. A large cheer ensued.
— Patrick Noonan (@patnoons) September 12, 2016
Apparently, @springsteen said this tonight in Pittsburgh. Damn, I love being a fan of that man and his band. https://t.co/9HdLhyuXmp
— The Rude Pundit (@rudepundit) September 12, 2016
I'm at the springsteen concert and someone handed him a copy of the U.S. constitution, it had "fuck trump" written on it
— Cadillac Jones (@Domenic_Dunegan) September 12, 2016
Springsteen has been a long-time Democrat, and has frequently clashed with Republicans who try to exploit the working class people he often sings about. Ronald Reagan infamously misunderstood Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” to be a patriotic anthem rather than a scathing critique of America’s failing institutions. When Reagan tried to use it in his campaign, it led to one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll moments in political history. A showdown between a rock star and a politician who not only didn’t “get it” but represented everything the song meant criticize. Reagan lost.
He called Ronald Reagan out. At a concert. In Pittsburgh. Sometimes history repeats itself.
Featured image via Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
