The Trump administration has publicly rejected Bruce Springsteen’s fiery new protest song “Streets of Minneapolis,” dismissing it as a misdirected political jab rather than serious commentary on national policy. The response from the White House — issued just hours after the track’s release — marks the latest chapter in an ongoing cultural and political clash between the legendary rocker and former President Donald Trump.
Springsteen, 76, released “Streets of Minneapolis” on January 28, 2026, as a direct artistic response to the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents. The song condemns the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — which Springsteen characterizes as “state terror” — and explicitly criticizes figures associated with the Trump administration, including Trump himself and senior advisers.
In a statement to Variety and other outlets, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson pushed back forcefully, labeling the song “random” and its viewpoints “irrelevant” and “inaccurate.” According to Jackson, the administration would rather see media attention focused on cooperation with state and local law enforcement in removing what they describe as “dangerous criminal illegal aliens” than on protest music about immigration enforcement. She also took the unusual step of urging the press to emphasize what she called Democratic resistance to that cooperation.
Jackson’s comments stand in stark contrast to the immediate public reaction to Springsteen’s track, which quickly went viral online with millions of views and widespread discussion across social platforms. “Streets of Minneapolis” was written and recorded in just a few days, with Springsteen explaining on his social channels that he composed it in the wake of the deaths and dedicated it to “the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.” The protest anthem blends acoustic elements with full-band instrumentation and features repeated chants of “ICE out now,” echoing broader calls from demonstrators nationwide.
The song’s lyrics paint a stark picture of protest and loss, referencing a city “aflame” under what Springsteen calls “King Trump’s private army from the DHS,” a pointed reference to the Department of Homeland Security’s role in federal immigration operations. The title “Streets of Minneapolis” evokes Springsteen’s 1993 hit “Streets of Philadelphia” — itself a song about justice and human dignity — while updating its message for a fraught moment in contemporary U.S. politics.
Springsteen’s new release has touched off reactions across the cultural and political spectrum. Supporters praise the song as a memorable example of music’s power to address social and political issues, while critics aligned with the Trump administration view it as a distraction from what they consider pressing law-and-order concerns. The White House’s rebuke — dismissing the track’s relevance and accuracy — underscores the broader polarization around immigration, protest movements, and artistic expression in a deeply divided political landscape.
This exchange marks another escalation in the long-running feud between Springsteen and Trump, who have clashed publicly before. In previous years, Trump derided Springsteen’s political statements, and Springsteen has continued to incorporate political themes into his work and live performances, maintaining a tradition of socially conscious music that critics and fans alike say dates back to the earliest days of his career.
As “Streets of Minneapolis” continues to circulate, the discourse around it — from music fans to political leaders — reflects how artists and policymakers alike are grappling with issues of immigration enforcement, civil liberties, and national identity in 2026.
