Nearly 40 years after energizing a divided Berlin with a message of unity and freedom, Bruce Springsteen returned to the city with another passionate performance—this time, urging the crowd to hold onto hope for American democracy.
Taking the stage at Berlin’s historic Olympic Stadium—an arena still etched with the marks of its Nazi-era origins—Springsteen addressed tens of thousands of fans with a fiery political statement. Throughout the concert, he didn’t hold back in condemning what he described as the “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous” leadership in the United States.
“This evening,” the 75-year-old legend declared, “we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us—raise your voices, stand against authoritarianism, and let freedom ring.”
The Berlin show is part of Springsteen’s latest European tour, and his message has remained consistent. Starting with a powerful appearance in Manchester, England, and continuing through Liverpool and other stops, he’s used his platform to call out the Trump-era U.S. administration, repeatedly expressing concern about the nation’s direction and its leadership.
Between sets, Springsteen’s remarks touched on several current American issues, including immigration crackdowns, funding cuts to education, and public health crises—all delivered with German subtitles flashing across giant screens beside the stage. The visual backdrop featured both American and German flags, symbolizing a bridge between the two nations and their shared democratic ideals.
Still, amid the criticism, Springsteen struck an optimistic chord: “The America I’ve sung about for the last 50 years is real. It may be flawed, but it’s a great country filled with great people. And we will get through this.”
This isn’t the first time Springsteen has delivered a politically-charged performance in Berlin. In 1988, during his Tunnel of Love Express Tour, he famously played in East Berlin to a crowd of over 160,000—one of the first major Western rock concerts behind the Iron Curtain. At that show, he told East German fans in their own language: “I’m not here for or against any government. I came to play rock ‘n’ roll in the hope that one day, all barriers will be torn down.” That night, as fireworks lit the sky and fans waved handmade American flags, he performed Dylan’s Chimes of Freedom, a song that would echo through history.
On Wednesday, Springsteen closed the show with that same Dylan anthem—a poignant reminder that his commitment to freedom, democracy, and the enduring power of music remains as strong as ever.
