The Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has described America as "a bit of a disappointment at the moment", saying he has witnessed growing frustration over the country's political and economic climate.
Richards, who has lived in Connecticut since 1985, made the comments while discussing the band's upcoming album, Foreign Tongues, which was released just yesterday.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richards & Ronnie Wood attended a launch event in Brooklyn, New York to announce the release of their highly anticipated new studio album Foreign Tongues. Credit Kevin Mazur
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the rock legend addressed speculation that the album track Ringing Hollow is a direct criticism of US President Donald Trump.
While Richards stopped short of confirming whether the song specifically targets Trump, he revealed it reflects his changing relationship with the country he has called home for more than four decades.
He said the song is about having "a nostalgic love affair with America, and [it being] a bit of a disappointment at the moment."
Richards also joked that he had "got my steel helmet and live[s] in a bunker" before explaining that many of the concerns he hears from people are centred on the rising cost of living.
"All you hear is the moaning about the price of gas. This is where it hurts people," he said.
Richards is the latest high-profile musician to publicly express concerns about the current political climate in the United States, joining a growing list of artists who have openly criticised the Trump administration.
Among the most outspoken has been Bruce Springsteen, who has repeatedly used his platform to speak out against President Trump.
During a concert in Manchester last year, Springsteen told fans: “In my home, the America I love, the America I’ve written about, that has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration. Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experiment to rise with us, raise your voices against authoritarianism and let freedom ring!"
Trump responded by branding Springsteen a "dried out prune of a rocker" and an "overrated musician."
Ahead of his Land of Hope and Dreams tour, the Born to Run singer also warned fans his concerts would carry a strong political message.
"The tour is going to be political and very topical about what’s going on in the country," he said, adding that he was fully prepared for any backlash.
Closer to home, U2 also made headlines earlier this year with the surprise release of their politically charged EP, Days of Ash, marking the band's first collection of new music in several years.
The record tackles issues including US immigration policy, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, and the conflict in the Middle East.
Frontman Bono has said the project was intended as an act of "creative activism", arguing that language and truth are increasingly under threat in modern politics.
Keith Richards' latest comments suggest that, just like his fellow rockstars, he remains willing to reflect on the political and social issues shaping the country he has called home for much of his adult life.
