Different President, Same Song: Trump Pulls a Nixon in His Battle Against The Boss

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Previously, Donald Trump used Truth Social to criticize Bruce Springsteen harshly, labeling him a “shriveled-up rocker” and hinting darkly that Springsteen’s future would be revealed soon. In the past, another U.S. president attempted to suppress a controversial rock musician expressing political views.

In the ’70s, Richard Nixon didn’t merely exchange harsh words with John Lennon on social media. He attempted to expel him from the country. This historical conflict, rekindled in a recent documentary titled One to One: John & Yoko, strikingly mirrors Trump’s ongoing dispute with contemporary American music icons. At that time, Lennon, a British citizen residing in New York with a green card, was vocal about his leftist views and opposed the Vietnam War as well as Nixon’s re-election campaign. In retaliation, the Nixon administration sought to deport him based on a minor drug charge, which was questionable at best.

“I’ve had enough of reading things by neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians…No short-haired, yellow-bellied son of Tricky Dick is going to Mother Hubbard soft soap me.

Ultimately, in 1975, following numerous court battles, the case against him was closed by a federal court due to its nature as “selective deportation based on concealed political reasons.” However, the harm had been inflicted long before: Lennon’s activism had been significantly curtailed. Tragically, five years later, at only 40 years old, Lennon was fatally shot by a disturbed admirer outside his residence in New York’s upper west side.

Approximately half a century later, Trump isn’t targeting foreign-born musicians yet, but his public criticisms of domestic figures such as Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey have an air of authoritarian retribution reminiscent of past times. The recent disagreement started on May 14 when Springsteen, performing in Manchester, England, commented:

“The America I cherish… is currently under the control of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.”

He further stated, “There’s some very peculiar, strange and potentially dangerous things happening. In America, the wealthiest individuals are finding joy in abandoning the world’s most vulnerable children to sickness and death.”

Within 48 hours, Trump responded online, criticizing Springsteen’s music, appearance, politics, intelligence (“Dumb as a rock”) and hinted at potential consequences upon his return to the U.S.

Later, Trump broadened his attack, accusing Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah, and Bono of receiving illegal campaign payments from Kamala Harris. “CANDIDATES AREN’T ALLOWED TO PAY FOR ENDORSEMENTS,” he wrote in capital letters. “IT’S NOT LEGAL!”

However, there is no proof of any wrongdoing. According to Rolling Stone, Harris paid for services — town halls, rallies, performances — through the artists’ production companies, as per campaign law. Yet, facts have never hindered individuals like Nixon.

During the early 1970s, Lennon’s name didn’t appear on Nixon’s notorious “Enemies List,” which included influential liberals such as Jane Fonda, Paul Newman, Gregory Peck, and Barbra Streisand. But he was treated similarly. Trump appears to be revisiting that strategy — this time, bypassing the confidential memos and using a digital megaphone instead.

Trump, known for his questionable musical preferences (he considers Kid Rock as a contemporary of Frank Sinatra), has lately been treating some of America’s top artists as if they were adversaries to the state. The potential consequences for them – could it be subpoenas, visa cancellations, or IRS audits? Only time will tell.

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2025-05-23 23:54