Trump Calls for Investigation Into Beyonce, Bruce Springsteen Performances

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published May 19, 2025 at 2:23 AM EDT


President Donald Trump called for a "major investigation" into celebrities who aided Kamala Harris's 2024 election campaign, including Bruce Springsteen and Beyoncé, saying their appearances were potentially illegal contributions.

"HOW MUCH DID KAMALA HARRIS PAY BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN FOR HIS POOR PERFORMANCE DURING HER CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT?" Trump posted to his Truth Social platform on Monday.

"WHY DID HE ACCEPT THAT MONEY IF HE IS SUCH A FAN OF HERS? ISN'T THAT A MAJOR AND ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION? WHAT ABOUT BEYONCÉ? ...AND HOW MUCH WENT TO OPRAH, AND BONO???

"I am going to call for a major investigation into this matter. Candidates aren't allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did, under the guise of paying for entertainment. "In addition, this was a very expensive and desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds. IT'S NOT LEGAL! For these unpatriotic 'entertainers,' this was just a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system."

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-calls-investigation-beyonce-bruce-springsteen-performances-2073941

---

Cognitive decline? Cognitive meltdown. Hello? Media???

[DemMedic]

1. donny is just keeping it real for the cult.

n/t

[keroro gunsou]

53. keepin' it real...

real dumb.

[Trueblue1968]

91. I. Hate. His. Guts. I wish he was NOT Alive....

[aurora the great]

126. Nailed it!

Exactly. How. I. FEEL! FU47

[OldBaldy1701E]

2. "For these unpatriotic 'entertainers,' this was just a CORRUPT & UNLAWFUL way to capitalize on a broken system."

Wow, he just described the entire rethug party in one sentence!

[johnnyfins]

45. Springsteen is unpatriotic

[allegorical oracle]

54. Yeah, now there's a "degree of patriotism" test as defined by a mad man. His power

has gone to the last of his little gray cells.

[Evolve Dammit]

87. It's 74 million that are rabid

[The Roux Comes First]

99. Sorry, That Is a Singular, Not Plural

[FishBones51]

62. Repukelican reading level

The right does not understand the words of songs. Much like they don't understand the meaning behind Diaper Don's "speeches".

"Son, understand, if it was up to me ...
'Bout half the town's out of work
Ain't nothin' for you here
From the assembly line to the front line
But I guess you didn't hear:
You died in Vietnam."

[riversedge]

3. Trump is in a pure jealousy rage..............

I really thought this was an Onion report. Hard to believe that that a US President would say such a thing for all the world to see.and hear!!


Cognitive decline? Cognitive meltdown. Hello? Media???

[bamagal62]

4. I also thought,

“Is this the onion?”.

[Juneboarder]

80. LOL

Every news article these days comes across like an Onion article.

[groundloop]

85. I'll bet it's simply noise to distract from his next major grift or boondoggle.

[BoRaGard]

5. Drooling, farting, and whining - the G.O.P. Way

Tragic

[brush]

6. First Taylor Swift and now Behonce and Bruce. STFU trump, you attention whore.

It's not about you all the time 24/7.

[Conjuay]

49. Apparently, it is. N/T

[mdbl]

7. He is quite the imbecile and loves to display it.

He thinks a campaign paying for something is illegal but all the bribes he's taken are not. As Chandler would say, "Could he be more stupid?" Every time he tweets the answer is "YES".

[Martin Eden]

16. "He thinks"

Last edited Mon May 19, 2025, 08:41 AM - Edit history (1)

I think you're mistaken about that.

This pathological liar does not say what he thinks is true, or comes to believe. That's not how his brain works. Belief and truth do not factor into his rhetoric at all. He's appallingly ignorant because he doesn’t read or study, but he's not an imbecile. He watches TV, and thereby learned how to manipulate voters by pushing the buttons of fear and hatred rather than engaging critical thought.

He says what serves his purpose in the moment, usually as part of the con job which built his cult and got him elected. He is (or was) capable of calculating his lies to great effect, but he also impulsively lashes out against those who criticize or ridicule him -- and punish them if he can. During the campaign he pledged "retribution," and now he wields great power with the tools of the FBI and Justice Dept. He issues threats to intimidate, which in some cases have resulted in compliance.

His threats against Springsteen and Beyonce are of course without legal merit, and will not silence them. But many of his targets have felt the need to increase personal security. The Felon is a stochastic terrorist, inspiring his cult to harass and potentially commit acts of violence.

Someone who lies all the time can become untethered from reality, especially with declining mental faculty. We are seeing that more and more, as some of his pronouncements and incoherent ramblings do NOT serve his interests or the agenda of the oligarchs. I have to wonder if efforts are being made behind the scenes to manage this situation, but he is a megalomaniac who wants to be king. He will throw anyone under the bus deemed insufficiently loyal.

The seeds of his own destruction are growing, and that means he can be increasingly dangerous.

[mdbl]

118. Ok then, he's an evil imbecile

[johnnyfins]

8. So let me get this straight

The so called "winner" of the 2024 POTUS election is going to try to punish his opponent. It's all about grievance. The celebs involved have called him out for the POS he is and he cant stand it. He is really close to yelling at clouds.

[C_U_L8R]

9. Tell that to IATSE and AFM

These are big productions with stagehands, truckers, sound and light engineers, costumers, musicians, etc etc. The artist may waive their fee but the entire show isn't free. Trump is being disingenuous and thinks he has an issue to play here. He's a slimeball and an idiot. How much did he pay for Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood's productions?

[maspaha]

10. Every accusation is a confession...

[Bengus81]

25. Yep and, quick, look over THERE.....not at my free $400M 747 from a TERRORIST State.

[Miles Archer]

43. I think he's more interested in the really nefarious things that are happening with Bondi

I'm too lazy to look up the link at the moment and I'm pretty sure it would have been posted on DU, but in a nutshell, one of the things she's doing is "considering" removing oversight into investigations launched against members of Congress / government officials.

The oversight is intended to prevent "political hit jobs." No oversight means that Trump could simply lash out at any member of Congress who challenged or questioned him.

The PLANE pisses him off because he wants his shiny new toy and what he REALLY wants is for people to envy him. It's what every little rotten Richie Rich kid wants...he gets an expensive new toy and the poor kids in the neighborhood, or at minimum, the ones who are NOT rich, go "Look at that...I wish I had one, but my dad isn't rich."

The stuff BONDI is doing is where the real danger lies.

[allegorical oracle]

58. Worse, imo, is that between Bondi, Patel, and Noem, they can generate arrests after they

"investigate" and no oversight means no guard rails. Only courts might hold -- until judges start getting investigated and impeached.

[Dulcinea]

77. "what he REALLY wants is for people to envy him"

YES. All day. Every day. He absolutely must be the center of attention & envy. How sad & pathetic. He's the biggest LOSER ever.

[johnnyfins]

11. I think these artists should turn up the heat

Keep calling him(and the repubs) out. Im pretty sure Bruce will. The thing is, if you look at what Bruce said on stage in Manchester, ALL of it is TRUE. It's happening RIGHT NOW. That was his point.

[luvallpeeps]

12. Investigate Kid Rock then!

Let’s not forget he didn’t pay the “Freedom Kids” during his first campaign. He’s such a loser.
https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/07/politics/usa-freedom-kids-lawsuit-trump

[surfered]

13. Time for the men in white coats to take him to Bellvue

[LymphocyteLover]

27. please please please-- he's truly barking mad

[Conjuay]

50. He's more a Matteawan State Hospital for the Criminally Insane candidate,

but they closed that too soon.

[bdamomma]

73. get a

cell ready for him at Alcatraz, he can talk to Al Capone's ghost!!!

[pimpbot]

14. is every rambling social.media post of his LBN?

This is why the media loves him and his circus. They constantly say something dumb, media transcribes it into some.sort of click bait, and everyone either gets outraged or chuckles (maga).

[BumRushDaShow]

21. In this case, his lapdogs in Congress WILL do his bidding

and will most likely "start an investigation".

"Our" problem is to keep thinking he is nothing more than "hyperbole" when he now has the power to direct people to do literal destruction - and they have in fact DONE THAT with the complete dismantling of the federal government.

[muriel_volestrangler]

46. I can see a case for this sort of thing going in Weird News

It is basically "Florida Man Wants Supporting Anyone Else to be Illegal".

[Prairie_Seagull]

15. All this is happening now.

Last edited Mon May 19, 2025, 08:33 AM - Edit history (1)

Good sign for marches on 6-14.

IMO

[Vinca]

17. If Biden had done this, we'd be in 24/7 breaking news coverage. Even cancer would get the back burner.

Right after this he said there should be a military tribunal to investigate Obama. He's off his fucking rocker.

[Jughead]

18. Where the

Eff is the media on this?

[taxi]

19. So small. Not a king at all.

Hell, not even human.

[Ray Bruns]

20. Just shut the fuck up already!

[wolfie001]

22. Der Fat Fuehrer doing more Nazi-shit

Lying bloated stinky cult leader.

[Bo Zarts]

23. JFC! STFU!

[Skittles]

110. THANK YOU

CAN WE HAVE ONE FREAKING DAY WHERE THAT DEMENTED ORANGE FUCK ISN'T EMBARRASSING AMERICA???

[tanyev]

24. LOL, so jealous that he can't get any A-list celebrities.

[tavernier]

26. Exactly what it all boils down to.

The only people he can impress are either dumb or greedy.

[ECL213]

36. Such a petty little man.

[Baitball Blogger]

28. Once a week someone should have a rundown of the idiocy that comes out of this Administration and from their offspring.

All the stupidity from the belief that the Library of Congress is a public library to confusing Jill Biden's "Dr." title as a medical doctor.

There should be a test of some kind before this level of stupidity reaches the highest levels of government.

[ChazInAz]

90. I have an idea.

Some courageous network should revive That Was The Week That Was. Of course, the sticking point is "courageous "!

[marble falls]

29. If he wants a taste of the graft in music, he ought to investigate ticketron.

[Diraven]

30. Paying for endorsements is not even illegal

He should know, because His campaign paid RFK Jr. $100,000 to endorse him in 2024.

[surfered]

31. Will they also investigate Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood?

[Skittles]

109. who?

[surfered]

113. 😁

[MarcoZandrini]

32. Weapons grade

stupid.

86 47

[Mawspam2]

33. Find the hidden message by playing the record backwards!

Just ask Tipper Gore!

[Scrivener7]

34. Imbecile. And we're paying for this ridiculousness.

[Lovie777]

35. "United" States.......................

Last edited Mon May 19, 2025, 09:26 AM - Edit history (1)

The current Republican party's mind body and soul are in shambles. Unfortunately, that puts the country in chaos. GQP are hateful, and don't believe in Democracy anymore. That said, can Democracy survive, I think so.

The revenge tour of shithole will be his administration undoing.

[k_buddy762]

37. lol

performing music in front of people, even if its in dedication to or in support of, a political candidate, is free speech. El Prez might want to brush up on the 1st Amendment.

[ECL213]

38. How much Milwaukee's Best and methamphetamine did Kid Rock and Ted Nugent receive for their appearances...

during Drumpf's campaign for president?

[Miles Archer]

39. Each scoop of sand equals one portion of strawberries

?si=cRkrRR3itr6x5S8F

[MorbidButterflyTat]

102. No comparison

[Miles Archer]

105. Seriously?

So, Trump hasn't lost it? I'd love to hear how you've come to that conclusion. Make sure you watch his AI video of him "performing" the Journey song before you tell me.

[jmowreader]

40. Two can play at that game

I call for a major investigation in how a Boeing 747-8 that was the property of Hamas’ biggest financial supporter wound up in a deal that will not only cost the US Government probably a billion dollars to make usable for its intended purpose but will be handed over, without returning the billion dollars to the treasury, to a Trump shell company shortly before he leaves office.

If a Democrat had done this impeachment is the least of what would have happened to him - he’d be in ADX Florence by August.

[Diamond_Dog]

41. Oh brother. Full on authoritarian.

Anyone who speaks out against him has to be muzzled or dragged through the mud. I don’t think I can take 3 and 1/2 more years of this shit.

[AllaN01Bear]

42. witch hunt , sound familiar folks?

and of course deflecting ?

[viva la]

44. It seems like he's not sleeping at night anymore.

Just getting crazier and crazier. And the MAGAts and the "normal" Republicans just nod and smile because his unhinged anger excites them or something.

[CrispyQ]

66. Burn the candle at both ends, Donnie.

May your last birthday be your last birthday.

[riversedge]

47. Politico: Trump " singling out Springsteen as well as Beyonc, Oprah Winfrey and Bono, .................

https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-bruce-springsteen-kamala-harris-celebrity-endorsements/

Scorn in the USA: Trump wants probe into celeb endorsements as Springsteen needles president

“Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS, which is what Kamala did,” U.S. president roars, as he also targets Beyoncé and Bono over 2024 election campaign.

https://www.politico.eu/cdn-cgi/image/width=1920,quality=80,redirect,format=auto/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/19/12371974-scaled.jpg
Bruce Springsteen concert at Strawberry Arena in Stockholm
The Republican leader launched a blistering tirade against legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen last week. |
Magnus Lejhall/EPA-EFE


May 19, 2025 11:36 am CET By Seb Starcevic

U.S. President Donald Trump’s revenge campaign is continuing apace, with celebrities who backed his 2024 election opponent Kamala Harris now in his sights.

The Republican leader launched a blistering tirade against legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen last week, calling him “not a talented guy” and attacking his physical appearance, after the New Jersey icon — who endorsed Harris last year — branded the Trump administration “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous” during a concert in England.

Now Trump is demanding a “major investigation” into Harris’ lengthy list of celebrity endorsements, singling out Springsteen as well as Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and Bono, and claiming they were illegally compensated........................

Trump himself has courted celebrity endorsements in all three of his presidential campaigns, from Kanye West to Kid Rock, with the latter taking the stage at the Republican National Convention and Trump’s inauguration-eve victory rally.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

104. This is such crap:

"Scorn in the USA: Trump wants probe into celeb endorsements as Springsteen needles president"

"The Republican leader launched a blistering tirade against legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen..."

Springsteen "needles;" Orange Felon "launches blistering tirade..."

SMH.

[Wiz Imp]

48. There is zero evidence anyone was paid for their endorsement

However, even if they were, it is NOT illegal.

https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/elections-verify/legal-for-federal-candidates-to-pay-for-endorsements/536-0a931d9b-7a3a-4e1c-b804-0e1630bcacf6

Yes, it’s legal for federal candidates to pay for endorsements

Yes, it’s legal for federal candidates to pay for endorsements. But they need to follow public disclosure laws and report the payments.

First, I can find no evidence of a single accusation of Springsteen receiving any money from the Harris campaign until Trump's post last night. In other words - Trump's making it up.

Fact checks of others:

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/oct/28/instagram-posts/heres-no-evidence-beyonce-was-paid-to-endorse-harr/

Claim: “Beyonce got paid $10 MILLION for her speech” at a Kamala Harris rally.
Rating: FALSE

PolitiFact found no evidence to substantiate the claim that Beyoncé was paid $10 million to appear at a Harris rally in Houston.

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/nov/13/instagram-posts/records-show-harris-campaign-paid-winfreys-company/

Claim: Kamala Harris’ campaign paid Oprah $1 million, Megan Thee Stallion $5 million, and Eminem $1.8 million.
Rating: Mostly False

The statement has an element of truth — the Harris campaign paid Oprah’s company $1 million for hosting an event. But the claim ignores critical facts that would give a different impression. Oprah said she was not paid for endorsing Harris. There are no federal records showing campaign payments to Eminem or Megan Thee Stallion. We rate this claim Mostly False.

https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2024/oct/28/tweets/claims-that-the-harris-campaign-paid-lizzo-23-mill/

Claim: “BREAKING: Lizzo charged the Harris-Walz campaign $2.3 million for a single appearance at a Detroit rally.”
Rating: FALSE

If the campaign had paid for an endorsement, federal law requires campaigns disclose the reason for a payment. The campaign disclosed one June 14 $75 payment for "endorsement-related expenses" to the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund. We rate unproven claims that the Harris-Walz campaign paid $2.3 million for Lizzo’s appearance at a Michigan rally False.

https://www.factcheck.org/2024/11/no-evidence-harris-campaign-paid-for-celebrity-endorsements/

No Evidence Harris Campaign Paid for Celebrity Endorsements

Quick Take
Vice President Kamala Harris received many celebrity endorsements leading up to the election, including from Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Eminem, Megan Thee Stallion and Lizzo. Social media posts have made the unfounded claim that these celebrities were collectively paid $20 million for their endorsements. We’ve found no evidence to support the claim.

[PittBlue]

51. First of all STFU, Donnie.

You must be the most miserable thing on the earth. You want to make everyone else as miserable as you are, you stupid piece of trash.

[Wingus Dingus]

52. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!!

There's no off button on this fucking clown.

[mcar]

55. Media is spending all their bandwidth hating on President Biden

[BumRushDaShow]

63. Yes

but now his diagnosis has completely caught them off-guard and scuttled the plans that they so carefully had created to implement. It is up to them on whether to be craven and continue with "round 4" of their obsessive and out-of-control bashing.

Don't know how they are going to proceed and whether they have a "Plan B" but their goal was to continue to distract from the destruction of our government and the Constitution while focusing on a guy who is NOT in any elected or appointed office.

[mcar]

67. Little I've seen is that they are a) combining their hate

with reporting on the cancer diagnosis ("Former President Biden has announced he has been diagnosed with cancer. The former president has come under fire recently because" blah blah),

and b) trying to create a crisis!!11 as to whether or not his diagnosis was known while he was still in the WH.

[BumRushDaShow]

69. And

that "diagnosis" and "when" thing has veered into the mainstream media now starting to promote the RW CTs that are suddenly popping up.

They can revel in their irrelevancy with going for tabloid CT sensationalism because their careful narrative got blown up.

[sboatcar]

56. I think he's mad that all he can draw is Kid Rock

But rather than look to himself as the cause for that, it must be someone else's fault.

[CrispyQ]

57. Someone needs a diaper change.

Good God I'm so sick of this POS.

[Aristus]

59. He means graft and corruption.

As always, every accusation is a confession.

[malaise]

60. This is intimidation and retribution lock up this treasonous

monster

[electric_blue68]

122. Effing Mob-type talk!

[hadEnuf]

61. Once again, Trump proves that he is unfit to hold office.

His abuse of power, as well as his subordinates, is reaching new levels every day. He is openly using taxpayer funded positions and agencies to carry out personal vendettas against certain Americans.

The GOP as well as the media are sitting back and enabling this viscous nonsense and it needs to start being taken seriously. Rebuking Trump is fine, but pressure needs to be ratcheted up on the GOP to do something about it. I'm not sure what leverage is available but perhaps recalls or something like that need to start happening. Right now, they are doing whatever they want with impunity.

[travelingthrulife]

65. Yup. GOP needs to be forced to own this.

They could end this nightmare this week.

[stillcool]

64. always about him. What he knows

what he's said, what he's done. Open book. Every word reveals

[twodogsbarking]

68. Hey you orange slime ball.

[bdamomma]

70. He is

really losing it, what a 34 count felon criminal is bullying artists now? He needs to STFU.

[IbogaProject]

71. This will fix inflation for sure

I'm glad the leader has his focus on real important things, oh wait this is batsh!t crazy ramblings from a doddering fool.

[Bengus81]

75. LIED to his lemmings about no tax on TIPS, LIED to his lemmings about no Fed taxes on overtime.

But hey...don't look at that stuff....look at Springsteen.

[Liberty Belle]

72. Then what about artists who supported Trump?

Oh wait, there are hardly any.

[Owens]

74. He knows musicians have young people that listen to them

and he wants to silence these musicians, just watch, he'll go after them if they speak against him in their concerts

[Wednesdays]

76. Huh?

If Kamala paid Bruce Springsteen, that's an illegal campaign contribution?
So then Bruce Springsteen ran for president in 2024. Who knew?

[MorbidButterflyTat]

106. .

[Torchlight]

78. All his chest-thumping undone by a guitar pick

Wild how the world’s loudest bully crumples like soggy tissue the moment a musician shares an opinion. It's a weird life when his success is measured solely by the amount of people who hate him.

[tonekat]

79. Demented Criminal says what? N/T

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

81. Could be another attempt at looky over there

Or even projection. Did Trump pay for endorsements from anyone?

[pfitz59]

82. Tantrum King is unhinged

8647

[cynical_idealist]

83. Get all these famous people on Lawrence, Rachel, etc, shows

Tell all their fans the truth and now is not the time to ignore politics...

[SCantiGOP]

84. I agree with the Don

Let’s have a full and independent review of the gifts and contributions for every candidate and office holder in the past 20 years. And let’s get rid of any immunity so the guilty can be sent straight to prison.

[Martin68]

86. Trump is a moron.

[Attilatheblond]

88. Somebody needs to take the baby's rattle away because he won't learn he can't throw it at people

Also, the fat head who won't attend presidential daily security briefings needs to be read the Constitution and make him take a fucking quiz on it. He doesn't get to say what is or isn't legal.

[twodogsbarking]

89. Bruce let him have it. Have him investigated. Same old orange shit.

Yuck.

[Dem4life1970]

92. This will surely lower prices on Day 119....

[LudwigPastorius]

93. Even if a political campaign paid a performer to play at a rally,...

that wouldn't be an illegal contribution.

Campaign contributions work the other way around. Someone gives money (or a service) to the campaign, you fucking bloated, orange idiot!

[RobinA]

129. Maybe This Is Why

he doesn't seem to get 747gate.

[truthisfreedom]

94. Why aren't Dems investigating the con's employment of Polish

Illegals to build his towers? That’s well-documented.

[Beartracks]

95. Makes me wonder what unconstitutional crap he's getting ready to do while this stupid shit sucks up all the air time.

[sakabatou]

96. He longs for the days of McCarthyism

[twodogsbarking]

97. I was very young when they attempted to make rock and roll illegal but I think they tried.

Long live rock.

[happy feet]

98. Pls pull out the white coat, already

Oh, I forgot Biden is old

[hamsterjill]

100. There's a meme going around saying that Springsteen and Taylor Swift should have a free concert on the day of his parade

I think that's a delicious idea! Hell, add Bono and Beyonce and do it all for charity, and I bet it would be great!

[2MuchNoise]

101. Shut up donald

[50 Shades Of Blue]

103. Pam Bondi: I'll get right on that, Boss!

[pansypoo53219]

107. the snowflake baby man is thinking up revenge grift. GIMME MONEY!

[FakeNoose]

108. Dear Newsweek: Please stop repeating Chump's Xweets like they're "news"

They aren't news, they're lies. Every time you repeat his Xweets you are spreading his lies.
Just STOP!

[BumRushDaShow]

111. Here are OTHER news sites doing the same thing (and there are more not included in the below)

The Guardian - Trump claims without evidence that celebrities were paid to endorse Harris

USA Today - Trump wants 'major investigation' into Beyoncé, Oprah, other celeb endorsements of Harris

MSNBC News/Maddow Blog - Trump wants investigations into Springsteen, Beyoncé, Oprah and Bono

Forbes - Trump Wants Investigation Into Springsteen And Beyonce’s Endorsement Of Harris

The Independent - Trump targets Beyonce, Bono and ‘The Boss’ in social media rants against celebrities who backed Kamala Harris

France24 - Trump seeks 'major' probe of celebs who backed Harris

Huff Post - Trump Demands 'Major Investigation' Into 4 Huge Stars In Middle-Of-The-Night Meltdown

The Hill - Trump says he’ll call for ‘major investigation’ into performers at Harris events



Unfortunately this country "elected" (in quotes) a man who is running the federal government like a "reality show" and uses his own personal media platform to communicate his intentions (rather than use the provided federal communications outlets). ALL of them cite his idiot rants because THAT becomes "his policy". That means we will have to deal with this crap for the next 4 years.

[Cha]

112. INVESTIGATE YOUSELF YOU TRESONOUS ASSHOLE.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

114. Maddow Blog-Trump wants investigations into Springsteen, Beyonc, Oprah and Bono

The president’s ire toward celebrity critics might seem trivial, but his willingness to use the power of the state to attack his critics matters.

`
Trump wants investigations into Springsteen, Beyonce, Oprah and Bono

THAT was on his mind this morning - instead of preparing for a critical call with Putin

No strategy or notes ... getting back at Bruce Springsteen was on the forefront of his addled brain!
🤬

www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Sabrina McDaniel 🌊💙 (@sabrina-mcdaniel.bsky.social) 2025-05-19T18:40:48.580Z

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-wants-investigations-springsteen-beyonce-oprah-bono-rcna207723

But shortly before the Republican’s sensitive discussion with his counterpart in Moscow got underway, he decided to let the world know what else was on his mind. HuffPost reported:

President Donald Trump on Monday launched a new attack on rock legend Bruce Springsteen along with several other major celebrities during a middle-of-the-night rant on his Truth Social website. ... He also attacked Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey and Bono, claiming without evidence they were all paid to endorse Harris during last year’s presidential election.

The first sign of trouble came last week, while Trump was still in the midst of a Middle East trip, when the president set aside some time to whine about Springsteen while simultaneously suggesting that Taylor Swift is no longer “hot,” thanks entirely to his criticisms of the pop star......

To the extent that reality still has any meaning in situations like this, let’s just briefly note that there’s literally no evidence of Harris or her campaign paying anyone for endorsements; there was nothing “unlawful” or “corrupt” about the support the then-Democratic nominee received from celebrities during the 2024 campaign; Beyoncé did not face “loud booing” after she endorsed Harris; and there’s nothing “illegal” about public figures publicly backing a presidential candidate.

It’s also probably worth mentioning in passing that Trump’s hysterical online communications don’t do any favors to his “very stable genius” description of himself.

But of particular interest was the president’s interest in “a major investigation into this matter.”

All things considered, there’s no reason to get too worked up about every Trump tantrum, his rage toward celebrities who’ve dared to criticize him, his weird approach to pop culture, or his use of the word “illegal” as a synonym for “stuff I don’t like.” What I do care about, however, is the president’s willingness to use the power of the state to pursue critics in authoritarian-style fashion.

This is especially true now with the Justice Department led by an attorney general who apparently sees herself as an extension of the White House and its political agenda — which raises the prospect of a federal investigator actually initiating a probe into celebrities that Trump doesn’t like.

[TheCowsCameHome]

115. Fuck him. Nothing about the storm-related horrors, the tall ship, nothing at all.

He even took a cheap jab at Joe Biden.

What a worthless piece of shit.

*edit: sp

[patphil]

116. Poor Donny, hundreds of millions of his brain cells are dying every day.

At this rate, he won't be able to even make an incoherent tweet a year from now.
VP Vance probably practices for the day he officially takes over every night.

[Evolve Dammit]

117. Free Pass from an anesthetized and cowed MSM zero mention of mental concerns

[azureblue]

119. I call for

a mental competency hearing for Trump. he clearly shows dementia, and delusions of grandeur....
He is not fit to hold office.

[AntiFascist]

120. Lashing out because he's a massive failure! n/t

[Karasu]

121. Talk about fucking wasteful spending. Who needs clean air and water or the National Weather Service? We should all

Last edited Mon May 19, 2025, 11:41 PM - Edit history (2)

only be paying for important shit, like airplanes from Qatar and investigations into Beyonce.

Fuck this. No one in this country should be paying taxes anymore. What the fuck are we getting for it outside of defunding vital services, firing people without cause, and funding the most stupid, petty fucking bullshit imaginable?

[electric_blue68]

123. Dear Earl G & Elad... TY, as usual. Could we get, oh, 2 more type size options?....

IMHO [as a former graphic designer] I think This size is no longer enough to register our frustration, and Outrage!!!!!

Imho 😉👍 😄

[Jack Valentino]

124. I call for investigation into Trump's mike-stand-humping performance...

*people say* that he is a "micro-sexual" !!!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

127. American Federation of Musicians

[LetMyPeopleVote]

128. American Federation of Musicians