Has Bob Dylan ever spoken out against tRUMP?

[wolfie001]

I saw another hagiographic story about that '60s "rebel" on his reminisces about Jerry Garcia. Just curious.

[BluesRunTheGame]

1. He got away from politics a long time ago.

[wolfie001]

3. Such a beacon of integrity

Thanks for the memories

[themaguffin]

42. ?

[Blues Heron]

2. found this on clashmusic.com

To our knowledge, Bob Dylan has only mentioned Donald Trump once – passing reference in his book Chronicles. As ever, the gnomic wisdom of Dylan is perceptive – he wrote:

“I mean, who’s the last individual performer that you can think of – Elton John, maybe? I’m talking about artists with the willpower not to conform to anybody’s reality but their own. Patsy Cline and Billy Lee Riley. Plato and Socrates, Whitman and Emerson. Slim Harpo and Donald Trump. It’s a lost art form. I don’t know who else does it beside myself, to tell you the truth.”

https://www.clashmusic.com/news/bob-dylans-only-comment-on-donald-trump/

[wolfie001]

5. I saw the same article

It looked tiresome and spineless. I wonder if he's a bitcoin guy?

[karynnj]

41. Interesting that he uses "reality" not expectations, more, or values

The latter all could be used when talking about conforming. Having your own "reality" is not really a virtue.

[brush]

53. Well that's disappointing. Hope he feels differently after TSF 1.0 and 2.0.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

79. Wonder when he said this...

This could've been long before 2016. "not to conform to anybody’s reality but their own." He's speaking of artists. Don isn't an artist, other than con. His reality is based on lies. And that puts us all in an untenable existence.

Thanks Bob.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

90. 2004.

Unless there was another volume, "Chronicles, Volume 1" appears to be where the quote was from.

[Blues Heron]

92. Interesting he talked about Trump back then. Good sleuthing, thanks

[marble falls]

4. Yeah, and what's his position of right and left Twixt bars? Has he opined on egg prices yet?

[wolfie001]

6. Dood was a 1960s Icon

Like a male Janis Joplin. Pretty sure she would have spoken out.

[marble falls]

9. Why? Is he the one vote that'll break the tie to take Taco off the island or not? He hasn't mention the price ...

... of gasoline, or where he stands on Ukraine, or Gaza .....

[wolfie001]

12. His charities help feed hungry people

I guess he can accept the fact that tRUMP is killing people by the thousands and he just doesn't want to upset republicans by speaking out. Democratic candidates would never fight to keep food from starving people. Doesn't make any sense to me. People should be made aware that he's gonna sit on the sidelines.

[Fiendish Thingy]

37. Perhaps you should picket his concerts to get the word out

He’s on tour all summer long, across America

https://www.bobdylan.com/on-tour/

I mean, if you really wanna walk the walk and “make people aware he’s gonna sit on the sidelines”, what better place to spread your gospel than outside a Dylan concert?

P.S. please post photos of your protests, and let us know how the crowd responded.

[wolfie001]

70. Things need to be stirred up a bit

That's all I'm saying. He may be too old now but there are others who are sitting on their hands.

[TnDem]

88. re: Dylan

Without looking, what is Dylan, pushing 90 years old? Nobody cares...Whether Bob Dylan comes out for one thing or another, won't gain one single vote.

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. Janis wasn't known for her political outspokenness

Other than possibly opposing the war, do you have any examples of her taking a stand on any issue?

“Like a male Janis Joplin” is one descriptor I’ve never heard applied to Dylan (because it is completely off the mark)

[wolfie001]

14. I knew it was gonna ruffle some feathers

[Fiendish Thingy]

15. No feathers ruffled

You just made an inaccurate statement, that’s all.

[wolfie001]

20. lol nt

[senseandsensibility]

86. Janis's version of Me and Bobby McGee is one of my favorite songs

(although I usually end up in tears) and when it comes to a raw, powerful emotive voice she will always be the Queen to me. I may have been in diapers when she died, but I have always loved her. I can't compare her outspokenness about politics or lack thereof to Dylan, however. She died at such a young age (24 I think).

[edhopper]

63. Two completely different performers

Last edited Mon Jun 2, 2025, 03:39 PM - Edit history (1)

who came to stardom in completely different ways. One came up in the early 60s folk world singing his own songs in a idiosyncratic voice.
The other came up in late 60s San Francisco with amazing performances of others songs.
They don't really compare to one another.

[Dave Bowman]

7. Not really.

[wolfie001]

8. Silent as a church mouse

That's no compliment.

[Dave Bowman]

40. Yes, talk about a rebel.

[LexVegas]

10. Who gives a shit? nt

[wolfie001]

16. You don't

I do. He should open up his "iconic self" and speak the F up! Why give him a Nobel Prize when he doesn't face the greatest threat to America since WW2?

[yardwork]

23. Did you give him the Nobel Prize?

It was for Literature, by the way.

Did you just get up this mornings and decide to complain about Bob Dylan? Who's next?

[wolfie001]

47. I did a look on what he's said about the worst pRESIDENT we've ever had in the WH and guess what?

Diddly-squat came up. Disappointment isn't even the word here.

[LexVegas]

30. ...

[wolfie001]

48. There there

We don't need to worship him. He's a man with foibles just like you (or woman) and me. He could lend a hand or some words of encouragement to the MILLIONS/BILLIONS who are being affected by the lunatic in the WH though and he chooses not to.

[Blues Heron]

59. Listen to some of his songs- it's all in there. Start with Seven Curses, it describes an evil judge.

Last edited Mon Jun 2, 2025, 01:47 PM - Edit history (1)

And gives a wish list of curses that could apply to TSF

[wolfie001]

71. Many iconic songs

I grew up listening to his folk songs in elementary school. We sang them in music class.

[Blues Heron]

80. Totally. His disdain for injustice shines through much of his work.

[wolfie001]

103. Yes! Just say something in the microphone. Just a word or two.

Maybe just say "Resist" and then start your concert. I mean, he's still touring. This one's my fave:

&list=RD12rUOLtbQDk&start_radio=1

[Fiendish Thingy]

13. Dylan sang "political songs" or "protest songs" for about 2-3 years in a 65+ year career

Although he performed at some political events and rallies, he NEVER gave political speeches or spoke out about politicians or issues, not even Viet Nam.

Not sure why you or anyone would expect him to say anything about Trump.

[wolfie001]

18. tRUMP is not anything America has ever seen

The level of corruption, the racism, the felonies and one and on. All hands on deck!

[Fiendish Thingy]

21. If the survival of our democracy depends on celebrities speaking out, we are already doomed.

Celebrities are not our saviours.

[Prairie_Seagull]

32. One of, if not the biggest 'topic' of our time and our poetic people

mostly, have nothing to say? Corporate types have their own influence IMO.

At some point it becomes lying through omission.

Very subjective but at some point?

"This is happening now!" Bruce Springsteen.
Thanks Bruce.

[Fiendish Thingy]

35. We have different expectations of the rich and famous

I welcome anyone who wishes to speak out on injustice, but don’t expect it.

[wolfie001]

69. Funny how many of the billionaires made their allegiance public during the inauguration

Front and center. Supporting a demented madman.

[Fiendish Thingy]

81. I didn't see Dylan at the inauguration

I don’t think he’s been to a single one.

[TnDem]

89. re: speaking out

Nobody gives two shits what Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Scott Baio or Mark Hamill say....None.

Clapton graced the cover of Rolling Stone probably dozens of times over 50 years and he is now hated because he stepped on the third rail of the vaccine.

[wolfie001]

105. Clapton was a supporter of Enoch Powell

The "Rivers of blood" guy.

[wolfie001]

49. Strawman argument

Everyone needs to step up. Me criticizing him certainly isn't worshipping him. Bruce is doing it. He could support Bruce publicly when the bloated imbecile speaks out against him.

[Fiendish Thingy]

64. Not a straw man by your own hyperbole

You demanded Dylan must speak out because of the “worst crisis since WWII!” And that it was an “all hands on deck!” situation.

So, under your framing, my response can’t be a straw man.

Can’t have it both ways.

[Blues Heron]

24. There almost was no Bob Dylan, when he empathized with Oswald at an awards dinner shortly after Nov 63

It took some serious spin control to keep his career from flaming out at that point. Probably realized he should stick to singing his songs and avoid politics.

[wolfie001]

50. Now that was a poor choice

I'm glad he realized that. Democratic party was working on a lot of items to help most Americans at the time. Reagan was trying to strangle Medicare in the cradle.

[NoRethugFriends]

58. He has denied they were protest songs

[Fiendish Thingy]

67. He also said he ran away and worked in a carnival in New Mexico as a boy

Dylan is an eternal cypher, and rarely gives a serious answers to the press.

Two exceptions- his 60 minutes interview in the 90’s and his interviews for the Scorsese documentary.

Also, the autobiography of his first love Suze Rotolo, she discusses his curiosity in her activism in the civil rights movement, and the sincerity of some of his early “protest songs”, despite his later ambivalence and rejection of the label.

[wolfie001]

75. I really know about him as the groundbreaking performer

I know he had a relationship with Joan Baez. Joan supported César Chavez. Dylan was always on that side of the political spectrum.

[Fiendish Thingy]

82. He is a private man

But one with a conscience.

[NoRethugFriends]

84. Thanks for that info

[regnaD kciN]

85. He was "political" during his time with Suze Rotolo...

…who had been a “red diaper” baby and a longtime activist. Once they split up, he moved away from “protest songs” at light speed. It’s ironic (and probably irritating to him) that he’s so often identified with that period because he came up with so many iconic songs during that period, but it really was as much of a phase he passed through as his “born again” era in the early ‘80s.

[wolfie001]

108. Yes. I vaguely remember that era

It did kind of run concurrent with the phony as a 3-dollar bill: Raygun's "Mornin' in America"

[LuckyCharms]

17. Hagiographic...that's interesting.

[wolfie001]

19. Isn't that how everything goes with him?

Like Mother Teresa, time for The Devil's Advocate.

[LuckyCharms]

22. Well, he's a plain man as well as a celebrity...

I'll leave it up to him what he chooses to opine about, and how he chooses to do so.

[wolfie001]

97. A little "too plain" when the subject of fascism is thrust into America's face

In my opinion.

[LuckyCharms]

100. You seem very invested in what Bob Dylan has to say about Trump.

I think that a man in his 80s, who has said plenty via his music, should be able to live in peace and do what he wants.

And your subtle call out of my post in the lounge by referring to it as hagiographic, did not go unnoticed.

Maybe you could use your own voice to speak out loudly against Trump, instead of pondering why Bob Dylan is not speaking out. And I'm not talking about just posting on DU. If you are that concerned, then why not do it loudly yourself at sources which will reach the general public?

Or, if you are concerned enough to question Bob Dylan's choices via a DU post, maybe you could try to contact him to ask him why he is not speaking out. He is the only one who knows why. Nobody on DU knows.

Bob Dylan really owes nothing to people he doesn't even know.

[wolfie001]

104. He could say something in the microphone. He's still touring so quit with the "he's an old guy" stuff

[Celerity]

25. Hagiographic is a perfect descriptive for the way the 1960s/1970s are looked at here on too many occasions. nt

[LuckyCharms]

26. Maybe not though, if you lived through those decades. n/t

[Celerity]

34. As a openly queer black female I can safely say my quality of life in 1960s USA would have been problematic at best

[whoameye]

57. "If you remember the 60s,

you really weren't there"

[wolfie001]

51. Republicans were plotting on their takeover starting around 1974 or so

Trying like madmen to keep as many people from voting as possible.

[Celerity]

65. Actually it started right after the 1964 Goldwater disaster (disaster for the RW). The groundwork for 2 major RW

initiatives started then. The beginning efforts of the Southern Strategy (peel off the RW and racist white Dixiecrat types, starting to happen with the two Nixon wins, and then culminating even more broadly years later with the 'Reagan Democrats') and then the rise of the politically engaged Religious Right that started in the mid 1960s to a degree not seen before in modern times.

[wolfie001]

68. Around the time Thurmond went republican

Where all the racists could feel at home.

[tetedur]

27. I think the assassination of JFK marked a turning point for Dylan and "politics."

"Murder Most Foul" from 2019 was a long "commentary" on that act and our culture since then.

I always thought he was more spiritually driven than politically driven.

This is in the liner notes on "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", the second album, from a comment on "Blowin' in the Wind" :

In 1962, Dylan said of the song's background: "I still say that some of the biggest criminals are those that turn their heads away when they see wrong and know it's wrong. I'm only 21 years old and I know that there's been too many wars. . . You people over 21 should know better." All he prefers to add by way of commentary now is: "The first way to answer these questions in the song is by asking them. But lots of people have to first find the wind."

The only other times he was "involved" with "presidential politics" perhaps was when he visited Jimmy Carter who invited him to the White House (they became friends) and when he was given the Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama.

I could go on . . .

[randr]

28. Joker Man is reputed to be about Ronald Reagan

Many of his songs are political. "We live in a Political World". Any who would question his political creds has been on the same planet.

[Fiendish Thingy]

36. Other than a brief flash of Reagan's face in the video, not really

Maybe one verse could be construed to be about Reagan, but the rest of the song is pure mysterious Dylan poetry:

Standing on the water casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of your fists
While a hurricane was blowing
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with truth so far off, what good will it do?

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

So swiftly the sun sets in the sky
You rise up and say goodbye to no one
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don't show one
Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

You're a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there would want to marry your sister
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed
Michelangelo indeed could've carved out your features
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

Well, the rifleman's stalking the sick and the lame
Preacher man seeks the same, who'll get there first is uncertain
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks
Molotov's cocktails and rocks behind every curtain
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin
Only a matter of time 'til night comes steppin' in

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet
He'll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

[wolfie001]

94. He could've opined that rayguns was destroying the Middle Class

Which he was. Apparently so before his first term ended.

[Botany]

29. Bob is 80 and besides he put the town of Ashtabula in one of his songs so he has earned the right not ..

.. to speak about things if he doesn’t want to.

[blogslug]

31. I can think of literally hundreds of people who deserve condemnation more than Bob Dylan

John Roberts
The entire republican party and its elected officials
Our Tech Titans and Captains of Industry
Numerous grifty entertainers and influencers
Rupert Murdoch, Fox News, the WSJ and the New York Post.
Half the editorial opinion writers of our major newspapers...

[wolfie001]

107. I never condemned him. That's Ad hominem

I merely asked if he's said ANYTHING about the greatest threat to the US in our history. I couldn't find anything. Maybe someone else knew of something. He's no God and with so many affected by the orange imbecile, he should've said or done something to support dump's opposition. I do condemn dump though. To hell.

[Silent Type]

33. Appears he hasn't. But can't imagine "Blowin in the Wind" Dylan cozying up to likes of trump.

But, nowadays, who knows?

[Samael13]

38. Not trying to be rude but

Who cares if Bob Dylan speaks out he may have been relevant at one point a long time ago but he holds no sway with a new generation of voters who if they know him it's cause of their parents.

[Polybius]

46. I think you mean grandparents

[wolfie001]

52. Boomers would listen to his words. I remember him still possessing his vocal range in the 1970s

Something. Anything. Like a Guru coming down from a mountaintop to give some solemn advice. Something like: "Wake the hell up America!!!"

[Music Man]

39. Odd question, if you ask me.

Bob Dylan isn't exactly culturally relevant anymore. I don't think anyone is waiting on Dylan's take on the Trump administration, and most Dylan fans are not Trumpsters anyway. While we're at it, what have Peter, Paul, and Mary or the Smothers Brothers had to say? Maybe we can get the cast of Laugh-In to give a quote.

[wolfie001]

54. I think all the others are dead and were a bit older

Goldie Hahn is one of the few remaining, and she said Hillary would be the best choice in 2016. So, she contributed. Susan Sarandon was vomitous.

[milestogo]

43. Looking for an artist who speaks out?

Start with Springsteen. And there are a lot more after that.

[wolfie001]

55. Oh yeah!

He's The Boss for a reason! Respect!

[themaguffin]

44. If anybody should speak out, it should be current artists. Dylan is 80+ & not left that space in the mid 60s

[DFW]

45. He is something like 84 now

Maybe he just decided he ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.

[wolfie001]

56. He was 74 when tRUMP went down the escalator

I believe most if not all of DU knew after the 2016 election that things were not right. The country's been effed ever since. One tRUMP disaster after another. The bloated felon's plan all along.

[MineralMan]

60. Ask him for yourself. I don't know. Nobody else here knows, either.

I'm not exactly sure what the reason is for this long thread, where you repeat and repeat your supposition that Bob Dylan hasn't attacked Trump. I'm not sure I see any relevance there. Dylan is 80. I'll be 80 next month. Dylan sang folkish songs for a few years. I sang folkish songs at the same time. I didn't make a career of it. Dylan did.

Protest music was big in the early 1960s, so that's what Dylan sang and wrote. Not much later, he shifted topic material. He didn't give speeches. He didn't write editorials. He wrote and performed songs.

He doesn't owe anyone anything, frankly. If you can get in touch with him, though, ask him what he thinks of Trump. He'll probably tell you, but he'd be likely to ask you: What the fuck do you care? Could you give him an answer that made sense? I doubt it.

[wolfie001]

74. Just a public statement

Go on The View and talk with Joy and Oprah. That would be a BIG statement.

[MineralMan]

76. Why should he? That's not at all who he is and has been.

There is no reason whatsoever for him to make any statement about Trump just because you and some other want him to.

You might remember that when he won the Nobel Prize for Literature, he refused to accept it or to go to any ceremony about it. He had no reason to accept it and didn't need the money. So, he shined the Nobel Committee on. That's Dylan.

Like I said, find a way to get in touch with him and ask him your question. Let us know what he says, OK?

[Torchlight]

61. I think the single, False Prophet, released in 2020

was a pretty scathing indictment of trump with Dylan using his best and most effective tools: music rather than an editorial.

[wolfie001]

73. Great reply

Thanks

[Mike Nelson]

62. He had to rearrange their faces, and give them all another name...

[senseandsensibility]

66. I disagree with most of the pushback you're getting on this thread

You have every right to ask the question, which you did in a mild way IMO. I would like to know too. I think his response / lack of response to trump is interesting. But like you, I don't know one way or the other so it does no harm to ask. People will make of it what they will, and if they don't care maybe this thread isn't for them.

[wolfie001]

72. Thank you!

Simple question. Has he ever lifted raised a single-issue concerning tRUMP? I mean, there are thousands of issues right now. Thanks for that

[H2O Man]

77. I suspect

that it would make zero difference if he did. I doubt there are any people who would care. But if he made a good taco song, I'd listen to it.

I'm trying to remember ...... the last political song Bob did that comes to mind was about my late friend Rubin. Jacques Levy wrote most of the lyrics, minus the first eight words, and Bob added the music. Somewhere in my files, I have the records of how much money he made from the song and concerts. If Bob could make money off a song about the felon, I think he would do it.

[wolfie001]

78. Me too!

Humor is another weapon. Another ally. And the Bloated Grifter hates it.

[H2O Man]

87. It would annoy the felon.

And anything that annoys the felon is good by me!

[wolfie001]

95. Amen H2O

Exactly. A unified opposition is the only way to beat these bastards. Bob's still touring for christ's sake. WTH! He can't talk into the microphone and say a few words? Maybe he needs the money. Bad investments.

[DBoon]

83. Has Country Joe McDonald ever spoken out against Trump?

As long as we are going to pick on 1960s protest idols, we shouldn't stop with Dylan.

[wolfie001]

93. He was quite active up into 2005. Kudos to him

He took a stand. Not a fan of republicans. Not sure about the Dems but a lot of folks here are having issues with some of the immovable stalwarts that don't want to let the younger generation take the mantle. How's that? He did "political stuff". Didn't cower in fear to Fux News.


* Wikipedia

[DBoon]

99. good for him

[orangecrush]

91. ...

Oh, FFS

[wolfie001]

96. Glad your hair isn't on fire like some of the "offended" artistic pooh-bahs

[orangecrush]

98. Nah

IIRC, Dylan has a sense of humor and is a self described asshole.



That said, just my two cents, he doesn't have to say shit.

His body of work speaks quite well.

"
Through the mad mystic hammering of the wild ripping hail

The sky cracked its poems in naked wonder

That the clinging of the church bells blew far into the breeze

Leaving only bells of lightning and its thunder

Striking for the gentle, striking for the kind

Striking for the guardians and protectors of the mind

An’ the unpawned painter behind beyond his rightful time

An’ we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing"

I think he said enough.

[Zambero]

101. The answer is blowing in the wind

The last reported gust was back in 1964. Apolitical ever since.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

102. Don't know about the 60s

But what about the 70s? Do they get a pass? Where's the Captain and Tennille? Barry Manilow? The Partridge Family? Hmm?!

And the 80s? Hello, Madonna? Hall and/or Oates? Adam Ant?

The 90s? Marky Mark? Ricky Martin? Spice Girls? Sir Mix-A-Lot?

Come on, slackers! It's all hands on deck and the world's democracy is on the line!!








J/K

[wolfie001]

106. Well

Captain and Tennille are both dead as is Shirley Jones and David Cassidy. Danny Bonaduce supports donald dump. Not sure about Susan Dey. Barry Manilow is going the Dylan-route but he didn't sing folk songs about the real world. Just pop. Marky Mark? Pretty sure he's a trumper. Ricky Martin Democrat. Madonna, I put higher than Dylan just for her big hit 'Like a Prayer' that totally pissed off the Catholic Church. Spice Girls, Adam Ant are brits. Sir Mix-a-Lot was a self-described Independent back in 2012. And finally, Hall & Oates aren't involved politically. At least publicly. Although their ongoing feud is. There you go.