Bruce Springsteen has been forced to increase security measures for his ongoing tour, amid recent death threats made against the singer over his opposition and criticism of US President Donald Trump.
Springsteen's criticism of Mr Trump has only intensified over the years. On the opening night of his current, Land of Hope and Dreams tour in Minneapolis, Springsteen had this message for the audience.
"The America that I love, the America that I’ve written about for 50 years, that's 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 said. "Tonight we ask all of you to join with us in choosing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unbridled corruption, resistance over complacency, unity over division, and peace over war".
Last year, Bruce Springsteen also called out the Trump administration during a live show in Manchester, which he called "treasonous", blasting its "corruption" and "incompetence". More on this here.
In response, Mr Trump hit back at Springsteen, branding him a "dried out prune of a rocker", and an "overrated musician".
Now, E Street Band member, Steven Van Zandt has revealed that Springsteen's words have angered several people, with some even levelling death threats against the singer, which has lead to the band being forced to "beef up" security measures.
On their security measures, Van Zandt said: "it's mostly just talk. And it's not like we're saying something that's not true or we're saying something that's so really particularly controversial, but it's specifically political".
"This tour has been a little bit different because of the high security," Van Zandt continued. "It's a very specific political theme to this tour and there's been a lot of threats, death threats. Usually there's always some, but this time it's been increasing".
"So the FBI and others have been really watching things and been overly concerned about it, as they should be," he added. "We want the fans to be safe and feel safe. So we really go the extra mile with extra security for that reason alone".
The American leg of Springsteen's Land Of Hope and Dreams tour will finish in Philadelphia on May 30.
However, back in April, Bruce Springsteen wish Donald Trump and his administration well following the assassination attempt made on Trump's left at the White House Correspondent's Association dinner.
"We can disagree. We can be critical of those in power, and we can peacefully fight for our beliefs, but there is no place in any way, shape, or form for political violence of any kind in our beloved United States,” Springsteen said, also offering a “prayer of thanks that our President, nor anyone in the administration, nor anyone attending, was injured” at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
More on this from Nova here.
