Springsteen Does Not Shake Christie's Hand at Barclays Center Concert

Bruce Springsteen, 76, appeared to bypass former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during a performance at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Thursday, May 14, 2026. " When he reached Christie's spot near the stage, Springsteen turned and walked in the other direction without acknowledging the politician's outstretched hand.

Christie pulled back his hand and resumed clapping. Christie, who has attended more than 150 Bruce Springsteen concerts and reportedly kept every ticket stub, was filmed dancing enthusiastically to "Murder Incorporated" earlier in the May 14, 2026 concert. A video clip of the Springsteen-Christie interaction went viral on social media.

Journalist Mike Ryan posted on X: “HAHAHA Bruce Springsteen WAS NOT HAVING IT with Chris Christie. ” The moment occurred on the second stop of Springsteen's Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour. Springsteen delivered pointed remarks targeting President Trump and his administration on the opening night of the tour at Madison Square Garden on May 11, 2026.

“We are living through some very dark times,” he said at the concert. He continued: “Our American values that have sustained us for 250 years are being challenged as never before. We’ve got our young men and women’s lives at risk in an unconstitutional and illegal war.

Springsteen added: “There are immigrants being held in detention centers around the country and being deported without due process of law to alien countries and foreign gulags. ” The musician went on to state: “While working Americans struggle, our president and his family enrich themselves by billions of dollars trading on the people’s office in corruption unmatched in American history.

” Springsteen concluded the remarks by saying: “To many, we are no longer looked upon as an often imperfect but strong defender of democracy standing for the global good.

We are no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. We are now, to many, America the reckless, unpredictable, predatory rogue nation. That is this administration’s and this president’s legacy.

The Barclays Center show came three days after the Madison Square Garden concert. Christie has a long and complicated relationship with Springsteen rooted in their shared New Jersey background.