Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday morning after peace talks collapsed in Pakistan. By Sunday afternoon, he had moved on to posting a doctored photo of Bruce Springsteen’s teeth. The Iran crisis, apparently, could wait.
The image showed Springsteen with noticeably crooked teeth and significantly less hair than he actually has, captioned simply: “Bruce Springsteen prior to plastic surgery???”
Springsteen has never publicly addressed having any cosmetic work done. Trump has now raised the subject three times.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
This is not where the feud started.
After Springsteen opened his Land of Hope and Dreams tour in Minneapolis on March 31, Trump fired back on Truth Social calling him a “dried up prune” who suffered “greatly from the work of a really bad plastic surgeon,” following up with: “Is Bruce Springsteen going to sue his plastic surgeon?”
He also demanded his base boycott Springsteen’s concerts, writing “MAGA SHOULD BOYCOTT HIS OVERPRICED CONCERTS, WHICH SUCK.” The concerts have continued selling out regardless.
Springsteen did earn the attention.
At his Minneapolis show he told the crowd that America is “currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous administration,” called out the Justice Department for abdicating its independence, and went after Pam Bondi specifically. He then took his show to Los Angeles and said most of it again. Trump responded by questioning his dental work, which is one approach.
At his Inglewood show on April 7, Springsteen told the crowd: “The America I’ve written about for 50 years, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty around the world, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless and treasonous administration.” He has said some version of this at every stop on the tour. The consistency is admirable. Trump’s response has been equally consistent, just focused on a different subject entirely.
An aesthetics expert consulted about Trump’s plastic surgery claims reviewed the situation and was unconvinced, concluding that Springsteen’s appearance is more likely explained by staying physically fit, not smoking or drinking, having good hair and maintaining a solid skincare routine. If he has had anything done, the expert said, it was “subtle” and “done well.” Trump’s doctored photo suggested the opposite, which is the point of a doctored photo.
The feud between the president and the rock icon has been building for years. Springsteen performed at the No Kings Rally earlier this year and has become one of the most prominent anti-Trump voices in music. Trump has responded by calling him boring, attacking his appearance and urging people not to buy tickets to one of the most successful touring acts in rock history.
For more on the song and its direct attack on “King Trump” and named Trump officials, see this report.
Featured image via X screengrab
