Tom Morello claims his son would beat Barron Trump in a guitar competition after Donald Trump criticized Bruce Springsteen

Guitarist Tom Morello has proposed a unique showdown between his 13-year-old son Roman and Barron Trump, the 18-year-old son of US President Donald Trump. The challenge comes in response to Trump's alleged recent criticism of Bruce Springsteen on X. On December 12, 2024, Morello took to the social media platform, attaching a screenshot of Trump's tweet and writing:

"My 13-year-old son Roman will step forward to defend @springsteen’s honor and destroy Barron in a guitar competition. Just name the time and place!!!"

While Donald Trump's tweet cannot be seen on his account, the President-elect reportedly praised his son as a guitarist, further calling Springsteen, a renowned rock musician, "overrated" and a "communist."

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All about Tom Morello's son, his upcoming concerts, and more

Roman Morello, though only 13 years old, is no stranger to the music scene. He recently collaborated with his father on the solo track One Last Dance, which also featured singer-rapper Grandson. The track is part of the soundtrack for the movie Venom: The Last Dance, released in October 2024.

Tom Morello also spoke about Roman's growing talent in an interview with Loudwire, dated December 11, 2024, stating,

"It’s awesome doing multi-generational riff rock with my boy... During the pandemic, when everyone else was learning to make sourdough bread, Roman was putting in his eight hours a day [on the guitar]."

This isn't their first father-son collaboration. The two also worked together on the track Soldier In the Army of Love. Meanwhile, Tom further revealed that some of his son’s riffs have made it onto his upcoming solo rock album.

He stated that Roman’s contributions will be part of "what is really my [his] first full-length, Tom Morello solo rock album."

On the other hand, Donald Trump’s critique of Springsteen is among his ongoing criticisms of cultural figures and media outlets. Time Magazine recently named Trump its 'Person of the Year' for 2024, marking the second time he’s received the title, with the first being in 2016 following his presidential election win.

In a November interview with Time, released on December 12, Trump spoke about his second-term goals, including immigration reforms and potential pardons for his supporters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. Time’s decision to name Trump 'Person of the Year' acknowledged his "stunning political comeback."

However, Trump's past remarks about Time’s choices have been controversial. He previously criticized the magazine’s decision to name Taylor Swift as its 2023 'Person of the Year,' as per BBC's December 12 report.

Meanwhile, Tom Morello has been busy with his own musical ventures. The guitarist recently announced two live shows in California for February 2025, featuring electric full-band performances. As per Morello's official website, the concerts are scheduled as follows:

• February 6, 2025 — Anaheim, CA at House of Blues
• February 7, 2025 — Los Angeles, CA at The Fonda Theatre

Tickets for the shows are available for pre-sale on the website using the code "TOM," while general ticket sales start on December 13, 2024, at 10:00 am PST. Morello has also hinted at special guests joining him for the performances, adding to the excitement surrounding the shows.

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In addition to his upcoming concerts, Tom Morello is currently working on a solo rock album. As per Loudwire, he has described it as a definitive rock record that incorporates elements from his previous work with Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage. Roman Morello is also expected to feature on the album, as his father continues to emphasize their collaborative dynamic.