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The Daily Planet’s Opinion: Kudos to Mick Jagger for lambasting idea of artists talking politics at concerts... To his credit, Rolling Stones’ singer just ‘can’t get no... satisfaction’ from Bruce Springsteen’s rants at shows
Monday, 10 August 2026 21:47

Hurray for Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones’ frontman who weighed in during an interview on The New York Times’ podcast on July 11 after host David Marchese questioned him about Springsteen, who has repeatedly criticized President Donald J. Trump during his latest tour.

Marchese said Springsteen “clearly sees his job as engaging in a meaningful back and forth” with fans before asking Jagger, “What does your relationship to the audience mean to you? What do they represent, all those people out there?”

In the interview, Jagger said that Rolling Stones fans attend concerts for an escape — not political lectures.

“The bottom line of my thing really is that my job in the live music world is [for] those people that come is to have the best time they possibly can,” Jagger told Manchese.

“For two hours or whatever it is, to forget all their problems and the problems of the world and their mortgages and whatever, just to give them the best time they can have.”

Jagger, 83, insisted live shows should offer fans an escape from the pressures of everyday life.

“It’s similar to going to a sports event, really, because everything else is shouted out,” he continued. “You’re just watching who’s going to win. You’re not worrying about everything else.”

“You don’t want to lecture them,” he added.

Jagger reportedly “weighed in after being asked about Bruce Springsteen’s anti-Trump speeches during his latest tour.’

The “Paint It Black” rocker stressed that no two audiences are the same and performers should adjust to the crowd instead of expecting the same reaction everywhere they play.

“Your job is to make them have the best time they possibly can,” Jagger said.

The comments come after Springsteen has repeatedly blasted Trump during his concerts this year, as part of the Boss’ “Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour.”

Springsteen has used his concerts this year to call Trump’s administration “reckless” and “treasonous.”

In turn, President Trump hit back at Springsteen, calling the rocker a “dried up prune.”

To singers facing audiences paying to hear them perform, we agree with Jagger that they should just “shut up and sing” — to borrow a phrase coined by commentator Laura Ingraham.

 



 


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