Entertainment · Music · 8 hrs ago
Bruce Springsteen fan group closes after political disputes
The founders of Spring-Nuts are closing the Bruce Springsteen fan group under that name after political disputes divided its members.
The Facebook group had about 18,000 members and had been running for more than a decade.
Its founders, Julie and Howie Chaz, said arguments over Springsteen’s political views led to personal attacks and hateful comments.
Springsteen’s endorsement of Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed was the final straw for the administrators.
Howie Chaz said he was concerned about El-Sayed’s association with streamer Hasan Piker and comments about a synagogue attack in Michigan.
The founders said the disputes damaged the group’s sense of community, though they did not believe Springsteen meant to make fans feel unwelcome.
The group will continue under a different name, according to the founders.
The founders of the Spring-Nuts Facebook group said they were shutting it down after political disputes and hostile exchanges dominated the community.
The group, dedicated to Bruce Springsteen, had about 18,000 members.
Founders Julie and Howie Chaz said Springsteen’s political comments and endorsement of Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed contributed to the tensions.
The founders said the group would continue under a different name.
- Who
- Spring-Nuts founders Julie and Howie Chaz announced the closure of the Bruce Springsteen fan group.
- What
- The group is shutting down after political disputes and hostile online exchanges. It will continue under a different name.
- When
- The founders announced the decision on Sunday, Nov. 8. The article was published on Nov. 9, 2026.
- Where
- The group was on Facebook.
- Why
- The founders said political disagreements led to personal attacks, bullying and hateful rhetoric. They also cited Springsteen’s endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Spring-Nuts Facebook group was founded.
A Michigan synagogue was attacked, and Howie Chaz criticized El-Sayed’s response to the attack.
Springsteen endorsed Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.
Julie and Howie Chaz announced that the group would close.
- Group name
- Spring-Nuts
- Platform
- Membership
- 18,000
- Founders
- Julie and Howie Chaz
- Endorsed candidate
- Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed
- Announcement date
- Nov. 8
What people are saying
As the world grew increasingly divisive, hostile, those tensions inevitably spilled into our little corner of the E Street world
What should have been respectful differences of opinion too often deteriorated into personal attacks, bullying, insults, and some genuinely vile and hateful rhetoric.
How could we be a Bruce Springsteen fan community trying to protect that harmony and camaraderie and ignore messages and statements coming directly from the very artist who brought us all together
Everyone, regardless of where you stand or what you believe in, is welcome – so come on out and join the United Free Republic of E Street Nation for an American spring of rock 'n' rebellion! I’ll see you there!