Trump vs. The Boss: Echoes of Nixon in a Modern Political Showdown

Before Donald Trump took to Truth Social to criticize Bruce Springsteen, another president tried to silence a prominent rocker. Richard Nixon didn’t just hurl insults at John Lennon; he attempted to deport him.

This clash from the 1970s echoes today, especially highlighted in the new documentary, One to One: John & Yoko. Back then, Lennon, a British citizen living in New York, openly opposed the Vietnam War and publicly criticized Nixon’s administration. In an effort to silence him, Nixon’s team used immigration laws to target Lennon over a past marijuana arrest—an obvious pretext.

The FBI kept tabs on Lennon, making him a target. He responded by channeling his frustration into music. He famously sang in “Gimme Some Truth,” criticizing the “neurotic, psychotic” politicians.

Eventually, in 1975, a court dismissed the case against Lennon, calling it "selective deportation based on secret political grounds." However, the attempts to undermine his activism had already made an impact. Tragically, just five years later, Lennon was killed by an obsessed fan outside his home in New York.

Fast forward nearly fifty years, and while Trump hasn’t targeted foreign artists, his attacks on critics like Springsteen and Beyoncé resonate with a similar authoritarian tone. The recent conflict sparked on May 14 when Springsteen performed in Manchester and condemned the current administration as “corrupt” and “incompetent.”

Within 48 hours, Trump retaliated, disparaging Springsteen’s music and intelligence and issuing a vague threat about “how it goes for him” when he returns to the U.S. The comments didn’t stop there; Trump accused several artists of accepting illegal payments from Kamala Harris for endorsements, despite no evidence to back this claim. Rolling Stone reported that their agreements were lawful payments for campaign services.

Interestingly, Nixon’s infamous "Enemies List" didn’t include Lennon directly, though he was treated as one. Today, Trump seems to be reviving this tactic, leveraging social media as his primary weapon instead of secret memos.

Trump’s choices in music aren’t just questionable—he has expressed his belief that Kid Rock could rival Frank Sinatra. Now, he positions some of America’s finest musicians as enemies. What might follow? Subpoenas? Visa issues? IRS audits? It’s hard to say, but the atmosphere feels tense.

In reflecting on these dynamics, it’s important to recognize that attacks on free expression and dissent are not new; they have deep roots in American history. As we navigate these turbulent times, the past serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle between authority and artistic freedom.

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Bruce Springsteen,donald trump,John Lennon,music