Bruce Springsteen says Donald Trump is 'running to be an American tyrant'

WASHINGTON — Music giant Bruce Springsteen told more than 20,000 people Thursday that former President Donald Trump is “running to be an American tyrant.”

Springsteen's comment came as he campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris in Georgia less than two weeks before the Nov 5. election.

Springsteen, a longtime Democratic activist, played an acoustic set of three hits – “The Promised Land," "Land of Hope and Dreams" and "Dancing in the Dark” – before former President Barack Obama and Harris took the stage at James Hallford Stadium in Clarkston, Georgia near Atlanta.

“I’m Bruce Springsteen and I am here today to support Kamala Harris and Tim Walz for president and vice president of the United States and to oppose Donald Trump and JD Vance,” Springsteen said in brief remarks.

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Springsteen said Harris “wants to protect and guide our great democracy, believes in the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power.” He said Harris will “fight for a woman’s right to choose” and “create a middle class economy that will serve for all our citizens."

"There is only one candidate in this election who holds those principles dear: Kamala Harris." Springsteen said. "She's running to be the 47th president of the United States. Donald Trump is running to be an American tyrant. He does not understand this country, its history or what it means to be deeply American."

In the lead-up to Election Day, the Harris campaign has landed on a closing argument centered on casting Trump as a threat to democracy who would operate like a dictator in a second presidency.

Harris said at a CNN town hall Thursday night that she considers Trump a fascist. Her campaign has seized on remarks from John Kelly, Trump's former White House chief of staff, warning of Trump's "fascist" tendencies and past admirable statements about Adolf Hitler.

Springsteen is set to hold another get-out-the-vote rally for Harris in Philadelphia on Monday.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bruce Springsteen says Trump is 'running to be an American tyrant'