Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Neil Young have come to the defence of Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift, both of whom have been on the receiving end of recent attacks from US President Donald Trump.

Over the weekend, Trump threatened Springsteen, telling him to “KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT” after The Boss referred to Trump as an “unfit” leader and his administration a “rogue government”. He also referred to the administration as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.”

In addition to issuing the threat, Trump described the Born To Run star as “highly overrated,” accused him of having “radical left politics,” and being a “pushy, obnoxious jerk.”

On the same day that Trump made his statement about Springsteen on his social media platform, Truth Social, he also claimed responsibility for Taylor Swift’s well-earned break from the spotlight after her mammoth Eras Tour and release of The Tortured Poets Department.

Trump wrote that since he posted “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT, she’s no longer HOT.” Trump’s original post expressing hatred for Swift came after she showed support for the Democratic Party in the 2024 US Presidential Election.

On Sunday (18 May), Vedder shared his support for Springsteen as Pearl Jam performed at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“[Trump’s] response had nothing to do with the issues,” Vedder began. “They didn’t talk about one of those issues; they didn’t have a conversation about one of those issues. They didn’t debate about any one of those issues. All that we heard were personal attacks and threats that nobody else should try to use their microphones or voice in public, or they’ll be shut down.”

He continued: “Now that’s not allowed in this country that we call America. Part of free speech is open discussion. Part of democracy is healthy public discourse. The name-calling is so beneath us.

“Bruce has always been as pro-American with his values and liberty, and his justice has always remained intact. And I’m saying this now to be sure this freedom to speak will still exist in a year or two when we come back to this microphone.”

Meanwhile, Neil Young addressed the US President’s comments towards Springsteen and Swift head-on via a blog post on his website yesterday (20 May). He wrote: “Bruce and thousands of musicians think you are ruining America. You worry about that instead of the dyin' kids in Gaza. That's your problem. I am not scared of you. Neither are the rest of us.”

He continued, “That's your problem Trump. STOP THINKING ABOUT WHAT ROCKERS ARE SAYING. Think about saving America from the mess you made. Taylor Swift is right. So is Bruce. You know how I feel. You are more worried about yourself than AMERICA. Wake up Trump !! Remember what the White House is?”

Young signed off the message, “You are forgetting your real job. You work for us. Wake up Republicans! This guy is out of control. We need a real president! neil young and many others.”