Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist for the rock band Journey, has publicly stated that Bruce Springsteen should refrain from discussing politics during his performances, particularly concerning former President Donald Trump.
"Guys like Bruce Springsteen should shut up, you know," Cain, who identifies as a conservative, said in an interview on The Complete Disaster Network podcast. "Honestly, shut up, Bruce."
Springsteen, a longtime politically active musician, recently concluded a tour that Cain suggested was a reaction to Trump's presidency. During his shows, Springsteen had previously criticized Trump's administration, describing it as "corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless and treasonous."
Cain expressed his personal dissatisfaction with Springsteen's political stance, calling him "an annoying, bitter old man."
Cain, a supporter of Trump, has a personal connection to the former president through his wife, Paula White-Cain, a senior advisor in the White House Faith Office. Cain performed at Trump's Mar-a-Lago property in 2022, and he and other Journey members visited the White House in 2017.
However, Cain distinguished his own engagement from Springsteen's, asserting that he does not bring his political views onto the stage. "I don't preach it on stage. I don't spend 10 minutes talking about it," he stated.
The interview, initially posted in May, has resurfaced following coverage by music news outlets like Blabbermouth and Ultimate Classic Rock.
During the podcast appearance, Cain also commented on Springsteen's 1984 hit "Born in the U.S.A.," suggesting its lyrics are "a diss to our country." The song addresses the difficulties faced by Vietnam veterans upon their return home, though it has been widely misinterpreted as a patriotic anthem and has been played at political rallies by various figures, including Trump.
Springsteen's critiques have previously drawn reactions from Trump, who has used social media to label the musician as a "pushy, obnoxious JERK" and a "dried out 'prune,'" echoing Cain's sentiment by urging Springsteen to "KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT."