Bruce Springsteen's former drummer Vini Lopez says singer 'gotta have respect' for Trump

LARGO, FLORIDA: Donald Trump and Bruce Springsteen are often seen exchanging barbs online, as the singer is known for criticizing the president and his administration.

Now, Springsteen’s former drummer, Vini “Mad Dog” Lopez, has shared that he thinks the singer should respect the president after he branded Trump a “wannabe king.”

Vini Lopez says everyone should have respect for Trump

The longtime E Street Band drummer told The New York Post, “You gotta have respect for the president. Trump is the president of the United States — everyone should have respect for him,” from his winter home in Largo, Florida. 

"He is the president of the United States. And if I was standing there talking to him, I would have much respect for the man,” Lopez added. “I wouldn’t talk to him about anything that’s going on.” 

Vini Lopez takes a different approach than Bruce Springsteen

The 77-year-old also said that he takes a different approach with his current group "politically," unlike Springsteen, who frequently uses his performances to share political opinions. "My band, whatever we think, we don’t go there in our music,” the drummer who has worked with nearly 30 bands said. 

Lopez and Springsteen worked together for over six years and on several projects, including the famed record 'Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ'.

Talking about why they parted ways, Lopez said he was “too jazzy for what [Springsteen] wanted to do.”

Lopez and Springsteen’s E Street Band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.

Vini Lopez recalls meeting Trump

Lopez further shared that while he is not an ideological diehard, he chose to vote for Republicans in the City Council and Congress. He also revealed that he once met Trump at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf course.

Lopez said Trump happily shook his hands. “He was very nice to me. He was very inquisitive and introduced me to Melania,” the drummer recalled.

Lopez revealed something strange ahead and said that when he was leaving that day, Trump asked him to do him a “big favor.”  

“Tell Bruce I’m his biggest fan,” Lopez said Trump told him.

Trump mocks Bruce Springsteen with altered photo

Meanwhile, on Sunday, April 12, sharing an altered version of a close-up picture of Springsteen’s face on Truth Social, Trump mocked his appearance and captioned the post, “Bruce Springsteen prior to plastic surgery???”

In the image shared by Trump, Springsteen is seen with liver spots and rotten teeth.