Dem NJ gubernatorial candidate admits to fabricating Spotify playlist to feature Bruce Springsteen
Democratic New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Rep. Josh Gottheimer recently came under fire for admitting to manufacturing a Spotify Wrapped playlist in what he described as a “fun holiday tweet.” The playlist prominently featured New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen, with Gottheimer sharing that his first ever concert was at Meadowlands to see The Boss.
Music streaming platform Spotify releases yearly “wrapped” playlists each December that showcase a user’s top songs of the year. These playlists are often shared by users, including politicians and celebrities. In Gottheimer’s case, the top five songs on his list were all Springsteen hits, such as “Thunder Road,” “Because the Night,” “Glory Days,” “Badlands,” and “The Rising.”
Speculation arose after the authenticity of the screenshot shared by Gottheimer was questioned by the New Jersey Monitor. NJ.com reported discrepancies in the font and spacing of Gottheimer’s screenshot compared to organic Spotify Wrapped playlists.
Gottheimer later confirmed that the screenshot he posted was indeed manufactured, but maintained his love for Springsteen. He explained that the playlist would have looked different if he didn’t share his account with his children. Despite the controversy, Gottheimer reassured his followers that his love for “The Boss” should never be doubted.
New Jersey governors have a history of being Springsteen fans, with Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy declaring a “Bruce Springsteen Day” in 2023 and former Republican Gov. Chris Christie attending over 100 Springsteen concerts. The upcoming New Jersey gubernatorial election, scheduled for November 4, 2025, has seen a crowded field of candidates from both parties, including former Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli and Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
In the midst of the controversy surrounding his fabricated Spotify playlist, Gottheimer urged voters to focus on issues like lower taxes and costs. As the election draws nearer, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact Gottheimer’s campaign and his standing among voters in New Jersey.
