We must be approaching that time when the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars, because politics, democracy, and music are syncing up this week in a way that makes my hippie heart sing! And as is often the case these days, Bruce Springsteen is leading the charge. Bruce is such an effective antagonist to Donald Trump because the Boss is everything the President is not: talented, intelligent, well-spoken, empathetic, patriotic, and able to be on his feet for long stretches of time. So Bruce has been eloquently roasting Trump for his crimes in this second term, and it roils Trump so bigly that President Hector Projector starts spewing digs at Bruce’s skincare and ability to draw a crowd. Puh-lease. Well, Bruce found a new way to stand up for our country and the constitution, inevitably putting him in opposition with Trump yet again: Bruce is letting the ACLU use his hit song “Born in the U.S.A.” in an ad unveiled this week. A perfect collaboration, as the ad spotlights the ACLU’s case before the Supreme Court to defend birthright citizenship.
Bruce Springsteen is joining the American Civil Liberties Union’s fight against Donald Trump’s attempt to do away with birthright citizenship.
The rocker has lent his iconic tune “Born in the U.S.A.” to a new 30-second ad that debuted ahead of Supreme Court hearing arguments in a case challenging Trump’s executive order attempting to alter the 14th Amendment, which grants anyone born in the U.S. to citizenship.
“We’re reminding President Trump what it means to be born in the U.S.A.,” reads the ad’s description. “We’re honored that the one and only Bruce Springsteen trusted us with use of his iconic anthem ahead of our landmark Supreme Court case Trump v. Barbara, where we’re challenging President Trump’s attempt to overturn birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment speaks for itself.”
“Born in the U.S.A.” is the perfect song to capture what’s at stake in this Supreme Court case and how birthright citizenship is integral to America,” Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the ACLU, tells Rolling Stone. “It’s the song that tells the story of a Vietnam veteran returning home to an America he knew was neglecting its people. The song calls on our nation to live up to its ideals.”
He adds, “Decades later, the song still reflects the struggle to hold onto the things that make us proud to be Americans today,” noting, “Even if you put the lyrics aside, the song basically makes you feel good. It makes you feel proud. It makes you feel bold. And that’s what our ad campaign captures.”
“Birthright citizenship is what makes America great, and we ought to be proud to defend it,” he continues. “It’s a reminder that we all have a role to play in fighting for a nation that follows our democratic principles.”
Bruce Springsteen isn’t petty, but I sure as hell am, and I am simply LOVING that Bruce has gifted the ACLU the use of his song. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has been sued or given cease & desist orders from almost every artist in recorded history to stop using their music hence and forthwith in perpetuity. The dichotomy is beautiful. Not to mention, this must be satisfying for Bruce to have his song being used by people who actually understand the meaning of it. For years Trump and his ilk have just looked at the title “Born in the U.S.A.” and assumed it was in line with their xenophobic propaganda.
But wait, there’s more good Boss news this week! We already knew that Bruce and the E Street Band were gearing up for the North American leg of their Land of Hope and Dreams Tour, which kicks off next week in Minneapolis. The first stop was intentional, as it comes after Bruce released “Streets of Minneapolis” earlier this year, a protest song in response to the city being under siege by ICE agents and the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Well, Bruce just confirmed that before the tour officially starts, he will be performing in Minneapolis on Saturday as part of the No Kings march! We had three major marches last year — Hands Off in April, and two No Kings in June and October — and with each successive one the number of people who showed up in opposition to Trump grew bigger. I cannot wait to see the force that emerges this weekend.
Photos credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Backgrid, Jeffrey Mayer/Avalon, Getty Images
Am I the only one wondering how this site will cover the demise of …well you know.
I hope they start with covering the Minocqua brewing company in Wisconsin who promised free beer on that blessed day.
Oh dear God please let “ well you know” be swift, public and painful. I can’t believe I’ve become the sort of person to fervently advocate for such a thing… but here we are. Lots of things I can’t believe.
To see an attack on another Constitutional right is appalling and there is no basis for believing the Supreme Court will uphold it. Good for Bruce, the ACLU, and all the other fighters against fascism.
He’s known as The Boss for a reason. Great ad.
He is a good human. Barack Obama said they went on vacation together and Michelle spent a lot of time telling him he should be more like Bruce. HAHAHAHA!!!
Bruce is a warrior. God bless him.