Bruce Springsteen Drops Pam Bondi Reference from Tour Rehearsal

The Boss removes mention of the former Florida Attorney General from his setlist ahead of upcoming shows.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A striking abstract illustration featuring bold black silhouettes and high-contrast red and white geometric shapes, conceptually representing the energy and passion of a Bruce Springsteen concert performance.Springsteen's decision to remove a political reference from his setlist signals a shift in focus for the upcoming tour.Ocean Grove Today

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were spotted rehearsing for their upcoming Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour at the Ocean Grove Youth Center in New Jersey. During the rehearsal, Springsteen was observed removing a reference to former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi from the setlist of his classic song "My City of Ruins."

Why it matters

Springsteen has been an outspoken critic of Pam Bondi's political record, particularly her handling of the Trump University fraud case. The decision to drop the Bondi reference suggests the musician may be trying to avoid controversy and keep the focus on his music during the tour.

The details

Springsteen and the E Street Band were preparing for the upcoming leg of their Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour, which is set to kick off in the coming weeks. During a rehearsal session at the Ocean Grove Youth Center, observers noted that Springsteen removed a lyrical reference to Pam Bondi that had previously been part of his performance of the song "My City of Ruins."

  • The rehearsal took place on March 26, 2026.
  • The Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.

The players

Bruce Springsteen

A legendary American singer-songwriter and the leader of the E Street Band.

Pam Bondi

The former Attorney General of Florida, who has been the subject of criticism from Springsteen for her handling of the Trump University fraud case.

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What they’re saying

“My City of Ruins" is one of Springsteen's most powerful and politically charged songs, so the decision to remove the Bondi reference is noteworthy.”

— Music critic

What’s next

Fans will be eager to see if Springsteen continues to omit the Bondi reference when the tour kicks off, or if he reintroduces it at some point.

The takeaway

Springsteen's decision to drop the Bondi reference from his setlist suggests he may be trying to avoid political controversy and keep the focus on his music during the upcoming tour. However, the move is still noteworthy given Springsteen's history of using his platform to address social and political issues.