‘He never left then, he ain't leaving now’: Bruce Springsteen's 2020 comment on Trump election is repackaged as news and Internet buy it
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bruce Springsteen quickly returned to the forefront of public attention after his remarks on Former Donald Trump’s re-election surfaced on the internet, sparking an uproar among the netizens.
On Monday, November 27, conservative media activist Chuck Callesto shared a "breaking report" post, stating the 74-year-old veteran singer has said that he would leave the United States if Trump won the election.
BREAKING REPORT: Bruce Springsteen says he’ll be 'ON THE NEXT PLANE' to Australia if Trump wins..
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) November 26, 2023
LOL, THOUGHTS? pic.twitter.com/eCTs7P8I2H
“BREAKING REPORT: Bruce Springsteen says he’ll be 'ON THE NEXT PLANE' to Australia if Trump wins. LOL, THOUGHTS?” Callesto wrote in the post.
The post—which has garnered over 1.6 million views—accompanied an image showing former President Barack Obama giving Bruce Springsteen the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.
Internet reacts to Springsteen’s remarks
Callesto’s post has sparked a furious outrage on X (formerly known as Twitter), with many users slamming Springsteen for his remarks.
“No great loss, can it please happen before the election, oh by the way, he needs to give up his citizenship also,” one user said. “Good news 👍👍 I guess he could leave today 😂,” a second user wrote.
“Great. He can entertain the rest of Hollywood on their travel to China or Ukraine,” a third user slammed while a fourth one asserted, “Has anybody told Australia? They might appreciate some advanced notice so they can switch off the lights and pretend they're not home.”
“Bruce has been barely hanging on for years now. Does he have his tickets for January 20, 2025?” a fifth user mocked Springsteen.
“Born in the USA.. but left cause my vag was scared ya lmao 🤣,” another user said. “I don't understand. Is this a promise, threat, or just a statement because the air is free?” one more wrote.
No great loss, can it please happen before the election, oh by the way, he needs to give up his citizenship also.
— Frank (@frankb143305) November 28, 2023
Great.. He can entertain the rest of Hollywood on their travel to China or Ukraine.
— Close The Border (@Matt_sleepyduck) November 28, 2023
Has anybody told Australia?
— Biff Gruffly (@BitingNews) November 26, 2023
They might appreciate some advanced notice so they can switch off the lights and pretend they're not home.
Bruce has been barely hanging on for years now. Does he have his tickets for January 20, 2025?
— Tom Cooper (@usawatching) November 28, 2023
Born in the USA.. but left cause my vag was scared ya lmao 🤣
— DirtRoadTruckn (@dirtroadtruckn) November 27, 2023
I don't understand. Is this a promise, threat, or just a statement because the air is free?
— Stephen Atadero (@stephenatadero) November 28, 2023
Truth behind Springsteen’s remarks
Although there is no evidence of Springsteen making these remarks recently, he did indicate in October 2020, during the weeks preceding the election, that he would head to Australia if Trump won.
The 'Born in the USA' hitmaker, who is a lifelong Democrat and fervent Trump critic, was promoting his album “Letter To You” during an interview with Australia’s Daily Telegraph when he expressed "I love Australia.”
"Every time, we have nothing but good times down there. It's always a treat to come. Love the people, love the geography, great place for motorcycle trips, it's close to our hearts,” he continued, as per Stereogum.
He then threatened that he would flee the country if Trump won a second term. "If Trump is reelected—which he will not be; I'm predicting right now he's gonna lose—if by some happenstance he should be, I'll see you on the next plane," the singer asserted.
But soon after the remarks surfaced, Newsweek confirmed that Springsteen was, in fact, making a joking remark at the time. He didn't seriously intend to quit living in the US were Trump to win the election.