No Surrender: The Boss Is Showing How to Stand Up to Trump (Democracy Docket)

https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/no-nurrender-the-boss-is-showing-how-to-stand-up-to-trump

President Donald Trump began the week by threatening a quartet of accomplished musical artists who have dared to challenge his radical MAGA hegemony with federal prosecution. In typical unhinged fashion, Trump lashed out at superstars Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Bono (an Irish citizen legally beyond his reptilian reach) — demanding a major investigation into these “unpatriotic entertainers” who campaigned for Kamala Harris last year, musicians he accused of being “corrupt and unlawful.”

In reality, Trump’s rant was ignited by Springsteen’s acerbic comments on stage at two concerts in Manchester, England last week. Springsteen, who is 75 and has taken part in American political and social protests since he played the No Nukes festival at Madison Square Garden in 1979, spoke more directly than any major entertainment figure has since Trump’s inauguration. Before those words sink into the oozing quicksand of daily outrage and click-chasing Trump media coverage, it’s worth a closer look at the message — because I think it’s an important moment in the evolution of the growing opposition to this authoritarian gang.

First, it’s important to note that Springsteen’s words were scripted. I watched the videos from both nights, and the words were clearly on the lyrics prompter that major artists use on stage. This was no rant of the moment — it was intentional, targeted and as carefully crafted as any song off Darkness on the Edge of Town. Springsteen posted a video and a full transcript to his website. This was a plan.

Secondly, Springsteen didn’t pull any punches — no references to “our national divide” or “both sides” or “polarization.” He was direct, angry and precise in his language. This was pure lights out tonight, trouble in the heartland:

In my home, 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.

Thirdly, Springsteen was clearly paying attention — both to the most egregious outrages of the Trump administration, and to the nature of the American opposition to its extremism. He made a seven-point list that directly relates to what he believes are the worst abuses of these long four months. It’s worthwhile to review these, because they align closely not only with the myriad court cases and lawsuits challenging Trump’s henchmen, but also with what protestors and activists are saying in thousands of rallies around the country. In Springsteen’s words, “There’s some very weird, strange and dangerous shit going on out there right now.”

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