Bruce Springsteen interview: ‘Trump is mentally unstable’
Bruce Springsteen: Trump Is An Insurrectionist
In conjunction with the launch of his latest tour documentary, the Boss discusses Vice President Kamala Harris's prospects in the upcoming elections, shares his thoughts on Liam Payne's unfortunate situation, and reveals details regarding his financial status.
Bruce Springsteen wants to set the record straight. He stated, “I’m not a billionaire,” contrary to what Forbes claimed earlier this year. “I wish that were true, but they really missed the mark. I’ve spent a lot on unnecessary things.”
The Boss smiles. After a long and tough journey, with years spent traveling, sleeping on concrete floors and in vans or even on the beach, you deserve to relish the fruits of your "good fortune", he says – “you’ve earned it.” However, he warns that if you start to prioritize those perks too much, “that’s when things often start to go wrong.” For Springsteen, the key was to safeguard his talent above all else. “If I had let that slip, I believe I would have failed at everything else.”
He certainly hasn't faded. Springsteen continues to be one of the most iconic rock stars in the world, with an appeal that time hasn’t diminished. We’re sitting in a stylish hotel room in the West End of London—I’ve just passed the blue plaque that notes, “Jimi Hendrix lived here, 1968-1969”—and I’m now in front of another rock legend, who recently celebrated his 75th birthday. He sits up straight and looks sharp in a smart blue jacket, a crisp white shirt, and earrings, with his hair neatly slicked back. Beside him are his longtime friend, manager, and producer Jon Landau, along with director Thom Zimny, who has been collaborating with Springsteen since the 2001 concert film Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band: Live in New York City.
They have collaborated on a new Disney film titled *Road Diary*, which captures the reunion of Springsteen and the E Street Band for their concert tour in 2023. This comes two and a half years after the release of Springsteen’s deeply moving late-career album, *Letter to You* (2020), which was limited to digital formats due to the pandemic. Springsteen shares, “A song takes on a new meaning when performed for a live audience. That's the experience people are looking for—they want to see it in person.”
The movie, much like the album, reflects on the passage of time and evokes a sense of longing for the past. Both elements coexist in "Road Diary." It features amazing archival clips alongside fresh performances of classic songs like "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" from the iconic 1975 album "Born to Run." However, the film also addresses the themes of aging and mortality directly. Patti Scialfa, Springsteen's wife and the mother of their three kids, who has been a part of the E Street Band for four decades, speaks candidly to the audience about her early-stage myeloma diagnosis, a type of blood plasma cancer that limits her ability to perform on stage regularly.
"It's an incredibly tough illness," Springsteen explains. "She has been battling it for roughly five or six years. She's shown remarkable strength throughout, but it can be extremely exhausting and leads to other complications. She requires a shoulder and hip replacement, which makes things exceptionally challenging for her."
"She’s been incredible throughout this process, but we never move forward with a show or any plans without getting Patti's approval first. Without her, we wouldn't be touring at all. Patti and I make all the necessary decisions together, prioritizing our family above all else. After that, we consider our fans and the music. However, my main focus is on her health and the challenges she’s facing."
Zimny emphasizes the significance of being receptive to unexpected occurrences during the filming process. One notable instance arises while covering Nightshift, The Commodores' well-known tribute to the late Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. Landau points out that this song can also be seen as a tribute to E Street Band’s own lost members, saxophonist Clarence Clemons and keyboardist Danny Federici. A special interaction between Springsteen and back-up singer Curtis King creates a moment of genuine magic that elevates the performance beyond the ordinary.
“Our band focuses on the theme of remembrance,” Springsteen explains. “We feel it holds great significance. It matters not just in a nation, but also within families and among band members – it's about honoring those who have sacrificed everything.” He further notes that this theme resonates with the audience's feelings of loss: “When you perform on stage, you’re looking to heal your own wounds and challenges, and in that process, you aim to help your audience heal as well. You confront their sorrow.”
We're discussing the recent passing of Liam Payne from One Direction, who was only 31 years old. Springsteen comments, “This isn’t surprising in my industry. It's quite common. This field places immense pressure on young artists. Many of them may lack the emotional tools or self-awareness to navigate the challenges that come with success and celebrity. As a result, they can become overwhelmed by various struggles, often turning to substances like drugs or alcohol to cope with the stress.”
"I completely relate to that," he continues. "I've been through my own struggles with various challenges." In his remarkable and poetic autobiography, Born to Run, released in 2016, Springsteen candidly addresses his battles with the "deep dark ocean" of depression and the intense scrutiny from the media that accompanied his skyrocketing fame following the release of his 1984 album, Born in the USA. "Each member of the band has faced their own difficulties," he notes.
"Danny [Federici] definitely experienced that. While drug use wasn't rare among the E Street Band, there was a clear line we didn't cross. I respected everyone's personal space, but if I noticed someone wasn't fully present while we were performing, it became an issue. This created a sort of unofficial rule on stage, ensuring that everyone needed to be relatively clear-headed and performing at their best. One of the things I take the most pride in is that when any of my bandmates passed away, it was due to natural causes."
Landau refers to Hendrix and Janis Joplin, while Springsteen chimes in with, “and Kurt Cobain,” highlighting that many continue to succumb to this tragedy. “It’s like a cult of death,” he states.
Landau emphasizes that the idea of romance tied to such situations didn’t interest them at all. “So as a team, we decided to steer clear of that path altogether.”
Springsteen acknowledges with a knowing look. “It’s a scam, you see. That’s an aspect of the narrative that lures in some young individuals, but it's the same old tale. Dying young might benefit the record label, but what do you get out of it?”
The movie beautifully portrays the incredible bond and sense of community between Springsteen and his fans. Zimny shares how he focused on the audience’s expressions, striving to encapsulate that experience on camera: "There’s a transformation happening." Has Springsteen ever witnessed Taylor Swift perform live, another artist renowned for her deep connection with fans? He confirms he has. A decade ago or more, he attended one of her concerts with his daughter, who was an enthusiastic fan. “She said, ‘Dad, Taylor Swift is coming! Can we go see her?’ We ended up right in the front row, in the pit, and she was amazing. This was before Taylor became a superstar… She’s truly remarkable—a talented songwriter who is both independent and resilient.”
The feeling of unity among fans of Springsteen and Swift highlights the significant divides present in America right now. Springsteen has voiced his support for Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election and has referred to Donald Trump in a video as “the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime.” When it comes to his concerns about Trump potentially winning, Springsteen expresses a mix of feelings: “On one hand, I’m not too worried because I have faith that Kamala Harris will come out on top.”
"I've definitely made mistakes in the past regarding this issue. That said, I believe there is a significant sense of fear in the U.S. about losing what we hold most dear, like democracy, the rule of law, and the peaceful transition of power. The individual in question does not support any of these principles. He is essentially an insurrectionist who attempted a coup against the U.S. government, so it's hard to justify allowing him anywhere near the presidency."
Landau characterizes Trump's message as completely contrary to that of Barack Obama, stating that they are "opposite in every way, even down to the details." Springsteen chimes in, calling attention to Trump’s mental state, saying, “This whole business of standing and swaying for 40 minutes during a town hall? I mean, swaying to music is what I do for a living.” He expresses genuine worry, labeling this as “one of the most significant elections in our country's history,” and adds, “Can you really rest easy knowing that Donald Trump has access to the nuclear codes? Absolutely not. Nobody can.”
In this section, we're discussing the upcoming biopic "Deliver Me from Nowhere," which focuses on the creation of the 1982 album "Nebraska." Jeremy Allen White from "The Bear" will portray Bruce Springsteen, while Jeremy Strong from "Succession" will play the character of Landau. The producer mentioned having a conversation with Strong, who is known for his intense preparation for roles. "I did tell him that he didn't need to go all out like Robert De Niro in 'Raging Bull' in terms of his physical transformation for the character," Landau joked.
“They attempted to squeeze him into the fat suit,” Springsteen quips. (The long-standing friendship between these two is evident.) Regarding the responsibility of portraying Springsteen, Landau mentions that White will face the task of “representing someone who is very introspective. There’s a lot happening beneath the surface—some of it is expressed, while other parts are kept private.” Springsteen's opinion? “After watching him in The Bear, I realized he was the perfect choice because he captured that depth of character while still having a hint of confidence.”
For the time being, let's appreciate the authentic experience. Zimny is an accomplished filmmaker, and his two-part documentary, The Searcher, might just be the finest film about Elvis ever created. Road Diary follows Springsteen as he continues his journey into the next decade of touring. If he reaches that point, he plans to return to the UK not only as scheduled in 2025 but also in the years that follow. He grins as he says, “It’s sacred territory.”
Travel Journal: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will be streaming on Disney+ starting October 25.
