Just when you think it can’t get any dumber, any crazier, any more troubling, Donald Trump proves you wrong.
Taking the concept of thin-skinned to whole new levels, early in the morning of Monday, May 19, Trump called for a “major investigation” of Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé and other celebrities who endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, accusing them of taking illegal payments from Harris’ campaign for their endorsement.
The mind reels. If only this were surprising.
Why them? Why now?
Because Springsteen has been criticizing Trump from the stage during concerts on his European tour. At a show in Manchester, England, he said, “In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about … is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.”
And more.
Trump, meanwhile, was calm and reasoned in his original response.
Springsteen has been criticizing Trump in shows
Just kidding. His reaction has been positively unhinged, even for him, which is saying something. In a Truth Social post he called Springsteen “Highly Overrated” and said, among other things, “This dried out ‘prune’ of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!) ought to KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT until he gets back into the Country, that’s just “standard fare.’ Then we’ll all see how it goes for him!”
MAGA supporters took to social media, shocked and outraged that Springsteen dared make a political statement — at least one criticizing their hero. Several included “Born in the U.S.A.” in their posts, evidently never actually having listened to the lyrics of the song, which is critical of the country. Or to “Death to My Hometown” or “The Ghost of Tom Joad” or “American Skin (41 Shots)” or many, many others.
Whatever. Trump says something dumb, his followers support him without question or reason. That’s just another Friday. Or Thursday, or any other day ending in Y.
Monday’s post was different in that it actually calls for retribution in the form of an investigation against Springsteen and Beyoncé, as well as Oprah Winfrey and U2 singer Bono. Here’s a taste: “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!”
Actually, it is, according to Verify, as long as candidates disclose payment. The Harris campaign paid Winfrey’s production company $1 million for helping produce a campaign rally in 2024. The Harris campaign also paid Beyoncé’s production company $165,000 after the singer appeared at a campaign event (Beyoncé didn’t perform).
The campaign has denied that it made personal payments to any artist or performer, with a spokesperson telling Deadline, “We do not pay. We have never paid any artist and performer.” Payments to production companies and crews are routine.
Doesn’t Donald Trump have more important things to do?
I know that Trump does this kind of thing in part to distract from the more important things going on in the world. You’d think, for instance, that he should be spending time preparing for a scheduled call with Vladimir Putin on Monday, rather than staying up late trashing celebrities who didn’t endorse him. (Kid Rock: still OK, evidently.)
And I know that I am in part playing into that by even bringing it up. But at some point it’s alarming and has to be called out. Investigating Bruce Springsteen? For critical comments? What’s next, burning his albums? Wait, forget I said that, someone will run with it.
Coupled with Trump’s screeds against news organizations that have covered him fairly — his frivolous $20 billion lawsuit against “60 Minutes” springs most immediately to mind — and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s willingness to follow through on any of his vengeful whims, it begins to seem not just nutty but oppressive. And even dangerous.
Wasn’t this the free speech bunch? It’s not really free if it comes with restrictions. I’d rather listen to “Born to Run” than “Redneck Paradise.” I hope that opinion remains legal.
The dumbest reality show ever: Donald Trump’s second term
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Subscribe to the weekly Watchlist newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump attacks ‘dried out prune’ Bruce Springsteen | Opinion
