While some musicians openly support Donald Trump, such as Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood, there are many prominent artists who strongly oppose him. At Trump rallies, music from various artists is often played, including those who do not back his candidacy. On occasion, music from musicians who disagree with Trump is used without permission, which raises copyright concerns.
When Trump’s events feature music from opposing artists, it typically triggers backlash, with musicians threatening legal action over unauthorized use. The primary issue is not merely the lack of licenses but the artists’ desire to distance themselves from Trump’s image and messaging. Many well-known musicians have made it clear that they do not align with Trump.
Beyoncé Issues Cease and Desist Over Unauthorized Use of “Freedom”
During the 2024 campaign, Beyoncé found herself in the spotlight when Donald Trump used her 2016 song “Freedom” at a campaign event without her consent. The song played in a now-removed video featuring Trump’s arrival at a rally in Michigan and was particularly controversial given that it was already associated with Kamala Harris’s campaign.
Sources revealed that the Trump campaign did not seek permission to use “Freedom,” prompting Beyoncé’s label to issue a cease and desist. In contrast, Harris’s campaign had secured the necessary authorization to use the song, highlighting Beyoncé’s support for Harris over Trump.
Beyoncé’s and Taylor Swift’s endorsements have been significant for the Harris campaign, underlining the tension between artists and Trump’s use of their music without permission.
Céline Dion Denounces Trump’s Use of “My Heart Will Go On”
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Céline Dion’s iconic song “My Heart Will Go On,” famous for its use in “Titanic,” has been played at Trump rallies without her or her label’s consent. This unauthorized use has led to significant backlash, with Dion’s label affirming that the song’s use at a rally in August 2024 did not receive approval.
Additionally, the family of James Horner, the composer of the song, publicly expressed their disapproval of its use by the Trump campaign, stating that it does not reflect their values. While no legal threats have been confirmed, continued unauthorized use could lead to potential legal actions.
Foo Fighters Respond Briefly to “My Hero” Usage
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In August 2024, the Foo Fighters expressed their displeasure with the Trump campaign after their song “My Hero” was played without consent at a rally in Arizona. The music accompanied Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s entrance as he endorsed Trump, with both figures drawing mixed reactions. Responding swiftly, the band posted simply “No” on X, indicating they did not authorize the use of their song.
A representative for the band confirmed that permission was never granted for the track’s use. They hinted at potential legal action, likely through a cease and desist order. Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign disputed the claim, with spokesperson Steven Cheung asserting that they had obtained the necessary rights via a BMI service, using a screenshot as proof. Band leader Dave Grohl has long been critical of Trump, making the band’s objection unsurprising.
Court Action by Isaac Hayes’ Estate Against Trump Campaign
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Isaac Hayes, the legendary musician who passed away in 2008, is being defended by his estate against the Trump campaign’s use of his co-written hit “Hold On, I’m Coming.” Throughout the 2024 election, the Trump team used the song at multiple events, prompting Hayes’ estate, led by his son Isaac Hayes III, to take significant legal action rather than simply making a social media statement.
In August 2024, Hayes’ estate filed a federal lawsuit and won an immediate hearing. They secured an injunction preventing the Trump campaign from using the 1966 song. In a post on X, Hayes III highlighted that the request for legal action coincided with the anniversary of his father’s death and emphasized the repeated unauthorized use of the song despite prior requests to cease. He also demanded the campaign stop using the song and sought $3 million in licensing fees.
ABBA’s Rejection of Trump’s Music Usage
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ABBA’s classic hits have been a staple in pop culture, making them appealing for political campaigns. However, the Trump campaign’s unauthorized use of their songs sparked a strong response from the band and their label, Universal Music. It became apparent that ABBA had not granted permission for their music to be played at campaign events, leading to legal scrutiny.
In a statement from August 2024, Universal Music confirmed it was aware of incidents where ABBA’s music was played at Trump rallies and firmly stated there was no permission granted. Legal actions were prompted after a rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where multiple ABBA songs were featured. While the Trump campaign holds licenses through ASCAP and BMI, ABBA has opted out, opening doors for potential legal consequences.
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ABBA’s Legal Warning to Trump Campaign
ABBA imposed a $150,000 fine for unauthorized use of their music, asking Donald Trump’s campaign to stop using their songs. The status of their request remains ambiguous—whether it was acknowledged or acted upon is unknown.
Jack White of The White Stripes Takes Action Over “Seven Nation Army”
In August 2024, Jack White reacted strongly after a video featuring “Seven Nation Army” was posted by Trump’s staff member Margo Martin. The video showcased Trump boarding his plane, with the song’s iconic riff in the background.
On Instagram, White condemned the use of his music, announcing legal action against Trump, referring to the incident as a blatant copyright infringement. He expressed his outrage regarding Trump’s behavior towards veterans, indicating that he would not back down from the lawsuit.
Johnny Marr from The Smiths Responds to Campaign Music Use
Johnny Marr, guitarist for The Smiths, discovered in January 2024 that his song “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want” was played at a Trump rally. Unhappy about this, Marr publicly denounced the use of his music on social media.
He expressed his disbelief and frustration, indicating that he never expected his song to be associated with Trump’s campaign. Marr’s history of supporting liberal causes explains his discontent with the situation, and though Morrissey, the band’s frontman, has not spoken on this issue, he has criticized Trump in the past.
Sinéad O’Connor’s Estate Responds to Unauthorized Use of Her Music
Following the passing of Sinéad O’Connor in July 2023, her estate was disturbed to find that her song “Nothing Compares 2 U” was used at various Trump campaign events. O’Connor was known for her outspoken views, particularly against Trump.
In March 2024, her estate, alongside Chrysalis Records, sent a cease and desist letter to the Trump campaign, emphasizing O’Connor’s principles of honesty and decency. They expressed that she would have felt disgusted and insulted by the misuse of her music, which resonates with her legacy of strong moral integrity.
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Sinead O’Connor’s Estate Takes Action Against Trump
Although Sinead O’Connor cannot protest in person, her estate has taken compelling steps to express discontent with Donald Trump’s campaign. They’ve instructed the campaign to stop using her music at any Trump-related events.
The Village People Demand an End to Trump’s Use of Their Music
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Donald Trump has often been seen dancing to songs by The Village People, particularly to “Y.M.C.A.” Recently, the band has formally objected to this unauthorized use of their music, issuing a cease and desist order to the Trump campaign. This complaint, arising in May 2023, is not the first the band has made against the misuse of their intellectual property.
The band’s frontman, Victor Wills, along with his manager, sent a letter demanding the cessation of a performance at Mar-a-Lago where impersonators were dressed as The Village People. The letter pointed out that this misled fans into thinking it was the actual band performing, which they do not support in the context of Trump’s campaign.
In the past, during Trump’s 2020 campaign, Wills publicly requested that the campaign stop using their music, particularly criticizing Trump’s response to Black Lives Matter protests. Despite these requests, the Trump campaign continued to play their popular tracks at rallies.
Journey Faces Internal Conflict Over Trump’s Rally Use
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After announcing his 2024 presidential bid in 2022, Trump faced a cease and desist order from Journey’s Neil Schon. Interestingly, the order was not directly against Trump but was aimed at Jonathan Cain, Journey’s keyboardist, due to his performance of “Don’t Stop Believin'” at a Trump event.
The letter highlighted that Cain’s performance was in front of prominent Trump supporters and further mandated that he avoid performing any Journey songs at political events. This demand was prompted by Cain’s support for Trump, which Schon felt could harm the band’s image by polarizing its fan base.
Schon emphasized that even though Cain has the right to express his personal views, doing so as a representative of Journey creates negative repercussions for the band’s reputation, urging a clear separation between music and politics.
Sophia Michaels
