TMZ, an entertainment news outlet has reported that Jeep brand spokesperson and rock star Bruce Springsteen of New Jersey was arrested in November for DWI, but did it happen?
The claim:
Bruce Springsteen is in the middle of a DWI case after he was busted in his home state … TMZ has learned. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ … the Boss was arrested on November 14 at Gateway National Recreation Area in Sandy Hook, NJ. Springsteen was cited for DWI, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. He’ll have a court appearance coming in the next few weeks. Reported by TMZ.
Is it fake news?
Local online news source Shore News Network reported the following article that same day.
ASBURY PARK, NJ -While New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen lectured America on “The Road Ahead” during Super Bowl LV, that’s not what he was doing back in November. Springsteen was arrested for DWI and reckless driving, apparently not too concerned about the literal road ahead that day in New Jersey.
Springsteen, the darling rocker of the American left, whose appearance in Jeep commercials during Super Bowl LV sparked controversy for the company was charged for DWI while driving inside a national park.
According to TMZ, Springsteen was arrested on November 14th for DWI, reckless driving, and consuming alcohol in a closed area of Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area, a popular beach destination at the Jersey Shore.
Joseph “Rudy” Rullo, who is running for Governor of New Jersey said the Springteen arrest and how it was swept under the carpet is an example of double standards in America and in New Jersey. Rullo has been a longtime critic of Springsteen mixing politics and entertainment.
“If this were you or I arrested for DWI, we would have been in all of the newspapers,” Rullo said. “If that was me, I would be on the front page, Jeep would be taking down my commercials and there would be an uprising on social media against me. I take this seriously because my grandmother was killed by a drunk driver, because she was killed in 1950 by a person driving drunk, we never got to meet her. Springsteen could have created a tragedy that night too.”
Rullo is running for governor against Springsteen’s close friend, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
Springsteen whose music and politics have clashed with fans over the years has been a staunch critic of President Donald Trump and in the Jeep commercial urged Americans to meet in the middle, suggesting that it is the fault and obligation of the right-leaning part of America to make that move.
Jeep has come under scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum since that commercial aired.
Verdict: 50% News
So far, no news outlet has produced any court documents or factual information, but Springsteen’s own team has yet to dispel the claim. Jeep has also not issued a response to the claim as of 2:55 pm on January 10th.