Bono Cheekily Says There Is Only One Boss Amid Springsteen Trump Feud

Bono Picks His Boss on Live TV

On May 27, 2025, Bono showed where he stood, right beside Bruce Springsteen. During Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the U2 frontman was asked if he backed Trump or Springsteen. Bono paused, then said, “I think there’s only one Boss in America.”

That iconic nickname wasn’t tossed lightly. Bono’s comment came after Trump slammed Springsteen’s activism. The moment wasn’t just fan talk; it was a public shoutout of support. Bono was there promoting Bono: Stories of Surrender, but his words made bigger waves.

Bono Calls Out Trump’s Aid Cuts

Bono wasn’t just there to defend music; he talked policy too. On May 27, 2025, he warned about Trump’s proposed cuts to USAID and PEPFAR. These programs have saved millions. PEPFAR alone is credited with 26 million lives in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Bono said even Trump’s evangelical supporters were “very, very, very angry” over the cuts. For him, this wasn’t politics—it was about lives lost if funding dries up. The humanitarian stakes were front and center.

Trump Calls Out Music Giants

On May 19, 2025, Donald Trump went on Truth Social and dropped names. He accused Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Bono of taking “illegal campaign contributions” during Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign.

Trump demanded a “major investigation,” inquiring whether payments had been made in exchange for their public support. He called their actions “CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL,” turning celebrity endorsements into a political flashpoint.

Bono Shuts Down the Rumors

Bono didn’t duck Trump’s accusations. On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he set the record straight: “U2 and I never paid or played a show to support any candidate from any party.”

Then, with a wink, he joked he’d “play tambourine in that band” if it meant standing next to Springsteen, Beyoncé, and Oprah. Bono explained that U2’s work is nonpartisan and rooted in humanitarian causes.

Bono Takes a Swing at Truth Social

Bono didn’t hold back when talking about Truth Social. On May 27, 2025, during Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he cracked, “It’s called Truth Social, it seems to be pretty antisocial, and it’s not very true a lot of the time.”

The jab hit hard. It wasn’t just a comment on the name, it was a swipe at the accuracy of the content and its founder. With one line, Bono turned a platform into a punchline.

Springsteen Takes the Mic—and a Stand

During his May 14, 2025, concert in Manchester, Bruce Springsteen made headlines for more than music. Onstage, he blasted the Trump administration as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.”

He urged fans to “raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring.” Springsteen has never been shy about politics, but this moment hit harder. In front of a live audience, he turned a concert into a call for democracy.

Springsteen Drops a Protest EP

Just a week after his Manchester concert, Bruce Springsteen released a four-song live EP titled Land of Hope & Dreams on May 21, 2025. The EP was recorded during his May 14, 2025, show in Manchester and includes his spoken introductions along with performances of:

• “Land of Hope and Dreams”
• “Long Walk Home”
• “My City of Ruins”
• Bob Dylan’s “Chimes of Freedom”

This release underscores the EP’s dual purpose: music and message, including his on-stage speeches about the Trump administration.

Trump Fires Back With Insults and a Meme

Trump wasted no time responding. On Truth Social, he called Bruce Springsteen “just a pushy, obnoxious JERK” and mocked his support for Joe Biden, calling Biden a “mentally incompetent FOOL.”

Trump didn’t stop there; he posted a fake video of himself hitting Springsteen with a golf ball. The insults, the visuals, the capital letters, it was pure Trump. The message? He’s not backing down from this celebrity feud, and he’s willing to go personal to prove it.

A History of Blue Votes and Big Statements

Springsteen’s support for Democrats goes way back. He campaigned for Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016, and stood behind Joe Biden in 2020.

In October 2024, he endorsed Kamala Harris, saying he wanted “a president who reveres the Constitution.” He didn’t mince words, calling Trump “the most dangerous candidate for president in my lifetime.” For decades, “The Boss” hasn’t just rocked arenas, he’s made political moves that shake the headlines.

Bono’s Global Fight Against Poverty

Long before campaign controversies, Bono had already stepped onto the world stage. In 2002, he co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), focused on ending extreme poverty. That mission expanded into the ONE Campaign, launched globally in 2004.

Today, ONE is a respected nonpartisan organization that champions health and development programs. It has helped secure over $1 trillion in global funding commitments, with a strong focus on Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

U2’s History of Taking a Stand

Since the late ’70s, U2 has used music to take on global issues. Their 1983 album War featured “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” about the conflict in Northern Ireland, and “Pride (In the Name of Love),” honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

The band’s activism didn’t stop there. U2 joined campaigns like Amnesty International and Jubilee 2000, pushing for debt relief and human rights. Their legacy isn’t just in platinum albums, it’s in purpose-driven soundtracks for real-world change.

Trump’s Playlist of Celebrity Targets

Springsteen’s not alone—Trump has a long list of musical enemies. Taylor Swift, Snoop Dogg, Lady Gaga… all have clashed with him. The pattern? Celebs speak out or endorse his opponents, and Trump strikes back, usually on social media.

Sometimes it’s name-calling. Other times, it’s edited videos. But the message is clear: criticize Trump, and you’re in his sights. For stars who use their platforms politically, Trump often responds with a digital megaphone of his own.

Springsteen’s Protest Lyrics Run Deep

Bruce Springsteen’s activism didn’t start in Manchester; it started on vinyl. His 1973 debut featured “Lost in the Flood,” spotlighting working-class struggles. In 1982, Nebraska dug into poverty and justice.

By 1995, The Ghost of Tom Joad carried stories of the forgotten and left behind. For over five decades, Springsteen has turned American hardship into song. His music isn’t just art, it’s testimony, and it’s been speaking truth to power long before campaign season.

Where “The Boss” Nickname Came From

How did Bruce Springsteen become “The Boss”? It wasn’t about power—it was about payday. Early in his career, he collected the band’s money after gigs and handed it out. That routine earned him the nickname, even though he reportedly didn’t like it.

Some say it also started during Monopoly games with other Jersey Shore musicians. Love it or not, “The Boss” stuck, and now, it’s more than a title. It’s part of his legend.

When Music Becomes a Megaphone

Springsteen’s clash with Trump isn’t just a feud; it’s a snapshot of democracy in action. Artists like Springsteen use their voices to challenge power, and he’s said they can “touch the soul of a nation.”

Free speech isn’t just for politicians—it’s for poets, too. In speaking out, Springsteen reminds fans that music can be more than a soundtrack; it can be a rallying cry. Art doesn’t have to stay silent when freedom’s on the line.

From the early days of his career, starting with Bruce Springsteen’s first Billboard chart hit, he has shown how music can connect with people and speak out about important issues.

U2’s Studio Sessions Are in Full Swing

There’s more on the horizon. Bono confirmed that U2 is working on new music. On Jimmy Kimmel Live!, he said they’re focused on quality, not speed: “Nobody needs a U2 album unless it’s an extraordinary one.”

That means the band’s not rushing, but they are recording. Known for tackling global issues with sound, U2’s next album might just blend fresh beats with bold messages. Bono left fans with one big tease: something powerful is coming.

Some people often debate why these country singers are overrated, as many country artists get a lot of attention even when their music doesn’t always bring something new.

Is Bono right—does America only have one true Boss? Drop your thoughts below!

Read More From This Brand:

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• Springsteen Calls Trump “Treasonous” and Trump Strikes Back with Insult

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.