A founding member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band has criticized the rock star’s recent political rhetoric, arguing that respect for the presidency should take precedence over partisan criticism.
But Lopez defended Springsteen’s right to express his views.
In an interview, Lopez stated he approaches politics differently in music compared to his former bandmate. “My band, whatever we think, we don’t go there in our music,” said Lopez, 77, who now performs with The Wonderful Winos after decades playing with about 30 groups.
Springsteen, by contrast, has been openly critical of President Donald Trump during his current Land of Hope and Dreams tour, calling the White House a “corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless, and treasonous administration” and referring to Trump as “our wannabe king.”
Lopez said he does not object to Springsteen speaking his mind but emphasized that the tone of national politics has become increasingly difficult to navigate. “I am not against what Bruce is saying now,” he added. “It’s so divided, the political part. It’s a tough one on me.”
Reflecting on how his views have evolved over time, Lopez noted, “Maybe when I was 20, I was a little more extreme, but I’m 77 now, so the extremities are gone.”
He stressed that basic respect for the president is paramount. “You gotta have respect for the president. Trump is the president of the United States — everyone should have respect for him,” he said. “He is the president of the United States. And if I was standing there talking to him, I would have mucho respect for the man. I wouldn’t talk to him about anything that’s going on politically.”
Lopez, who has voted Republican in races ranging from city council to Congress, also recalled meeting Trump years ago at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course while working as a caddie. “He was very nice to me. He was very inquisitive and introduced me to Melania,” he said.
As he left, Trump requested: “Tell Bruce I’m his biggest fan.”
Springsteen and Trump have been locked in an ongoing feud. Earlier this month, Trump posted on a social media platform that Springsteen has “long had a horrible and incurable case of Trump Derangement Syndrome” and called the singer a “total loser who spews hate against a President who won a Landslide Election, including the popular vote, all Seven Swing States, and 86% of the Counties across America.” He also urged a boycott of the musician.
Despite the political tension, Lopez said his relationship with Springsteen remains unchanged. “If he wants me to do something, he’ll call me,” he said. “Sometimes, it’s just because he hasn’t seen me for a while. And he’ll call me and say: ‘Hey, come around here.’ Sometimes, the calls come with more difficult news as time goes on.”
