Bruce Springsteen does not hide his feelings about politics and political figures. He makes no secret of his fiery dislike for President Donald Trump. Additionally, The Boss threw his weight behind controversial Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan. His opinions don't always sit well with the public, however. In fact, one of Springsteen's fan clubs has announced that it is shuttering. The given reason? There has been so much ugly blowback due to the legend's stances on certain issues and politicians.
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"Vile and Hateful Rhetoric" Infiltrated the Spring-Nuts Facebook Page
According to the Asbury Park Press, the Spring-Nuts Facebook page dedicated to the "Jungleland" singer boasts some 18,000 loyal adherents. Its founders, Howie and Julie Chaz, have had to make a difficult but seemingly necessary decision about its future. Per the outlet via a message they issued on Monday, November 9, the Chazes said this. "As the world grew increasingly divisive, hostile, those tensions inevitably spilled into our little corner of the E Street world. What should have been respectful differences of opinion too often deteriorated into personal attacks, bullying, insults, and some genuinely vile and hateful rhetoric."
Nevertheless, last year, Howie Chaz articulated the Spring-Nuts' philosophy - and sadly, things have become darker and more opinionated. Chaz said at the time, "We wanted Spring-Nuts to be synonymous with kindness, empathy, friendship and community. We wanted everyone to feel accepted and appreciated. We wanted fans to have a place of refuge from this crazy world and interact with people like them who get it. We wanted people to smile." Now, those smiles have apparently turned to angry frowns.
Springsteen Himself Became More Overtly Outspoken
It sounds like it was harder and harder to prevent blistering and inflammatory words from cluttering the Spring-Nuts Facebook page and group. Springsteen himself was getting more politically upfront. Howie Chaz underscored that point. He said per the outlet, "As Bruce became more outspoken about his politics, something we understood and respected as his absolute right, we found ourselves facing a difficult balancing act. How could we be a Bruce Springsteen fan community trying to protect that harmony and camaraderie and ignore messages and statements coming directly from the very artist who brought us all together?"
Howie Chaz also mentioned Bruce Springsteen's backing of Abdul El-Sayed, who campaigned with Hasan Piker. Piker, according to Chaz, "openly made horrific statements that America deserved 9/11."
Julie and Howie Chaz also voiced other problems. The singer's "endorsement [of El-Sayed] was deeply disappointing to us, given our concerns as proud Jews. We certainly don't believe Bruce intended for his message to make fans feel unwelcome. But very unfortunately, some of his fans appointed themselves the gatekeepers of who was and wasn't worthy of belonging in the E Street community."
