Donald Trump held a rally at the boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey, boasting about the size of his crowd and claiming it was bigger than a Bruce Springsteen concert. He also stated that Springsteen had actually voted for him, despite Springsteen being a vocal ally of President Joe Biden. Trump expressed confidence in winning New Jersey in the upcoming election, despite the state’s history as a Democratic stronghold. A city spokesperson estimated the crowd at 80,000 to 100,000 people, but footage from the rally showed a sparse audience in front of Trump as his speech continued.
Fans of Bruce Springsteen fact-checked Trump’s claims by sharing videos of Springsteen’s sold-out shows at MetLife Stadium, which has a capacity of 82,500 people. Many questioned why Trump would choose to pick a fight with Springsteen, who is highly revered by New Jersey residents. In 2020, Springsteen had urged voters to help put an end to Trump’s presidency, calling it a “nightmare” for America. Despite Trump’s bold claims at the rally, the footage revealed a thinning crowd as his speech went on, causing some to question the accuracy of the crowd size estimates provided by the city spokesperson.
Critics on social media mocked Trump’s claims about Springsteen and his strategy to win over New Jersey voters. Some Twitter users expressed disbelief at Trump’s insults directed at Springsteen, referring to him as the “President of New Jersey.” Others speculated that the crowd at the rally may not have been representative of true New Jersey residents and accused attendees of being “brainwashed.” Overall, reactions to Trump’s speech indicated skepticism and amusement at his attempts to discredit Springsteen and appeal to voters in New Jersey by falsely claiming support from the rock legend.
Despite Trump’s confident assertions about winning New Jersey and the size of his rally crowd, the footage and responses from Springsteen fans and critics suggest that his claims may not hold up to scrutiny. The clash between Trump and Springsteen, as well as the reactions on social media, highlight the political and cultural divide in the state of New Jersey as the presidential election approaches. Trump’s unorthodox and controversial approach to campaigning in New Jersey may not be as effective as he hopes, especially as he faces strong opposition from residents who are loyal to cultural icons like Springsteen. The rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, serves as a microcosm of the challenges and complexities that Trump faces in his efforts to secure support in a historically Democratic state.
