Music has long been a powerful force for connection, uniting people and inspiring social change. However, in recent years, its use in politics has increased, with many artists speaking out against unauthorized use of their songs in campaigns. Notably, several musicians have publicly criticized Donald Trump for using their music without permission during his rallies.
BeatCurry Team
From following global artists with chart-topping hits, sold-out stadium shows, and billions of genuine views to building loyal fan communities, we’ve witnessed the remarkable journeys of some of the world’s most iconic musicians. Great music transcends boundaries and unites people. It tells stories, evokes emotions, and captures shared experiences, making it a powerful force for connection. Music can bring people together, spark conversations, foster mutual passions, and even inspire social change.
In recent years, these ideals have been tweaked a bit to benefit people in power-there has been a surge in the use of music for political purposes, particularly in rallies and campaigns. One notable example involves musicians who have publicly criticized Donald Trump for using their music without proper authorization or consent. While this has occurred numerous times, here are 10 of the most prominent artists who have spoken out against Trump’s unauthorized use of their music. Let’s take a look!
Queen
In the Election year 2016, Queen repeatedly warned Trump against using “We Are the Champions” at his campaign events throughout the 2016 election cycle. In words of their guitarist Brian May “Permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue.”
Soon Sony/ATV Music Publishing stepped in and issued this statement on behalf of the band stating, “Queen does not want its music associated with any mainstream or political debate in any country,” it read. “Nor does Queen want “We are the Champions” to be used as an endorsement of Mr. Trump and the political views of the Republican Party. We trust, hope and expect that Mr. Trump and his campaign will respect these wishes moving forward.”
George Harrison
In the same year as above, George Harrison’s estate expressed its disapproval, labeling Trump’s use of “Here Comes the Sun” during the 2016 Republican National Convention as “offensive.” Here are 2 of his tweets that made its way to netizens reading and reacting to it.
If it had been Beware of Darkness, then we MAY have approved it! #TrumpYourself
— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) July 22, 2016
The unauthorized use of #HereComestheSun at the #RNCinCLE is offensive & against the wishes of the George Harrison estate.
— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) July 22, 2016
Adele
During the 2016 election campaign, Trump repeatedly used “Rolling in the Deep” as his walk-on song at several rallies, prompting Adele’s spokesperson to respond strongly with a statement to Billboard stating “Adele has not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning.”
Rolling Stones
In both the 2016 and 2020 election cycles, The Rolling Stones repeatedly voiced their disapproval of Trump using their songs at his campaign events. Despite their objections, he continued to play tracks like “Start Me Up,” “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” and “Brown Sugar.” When Trump used “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” again at his Tulsa rally in 2020, the band escalated their response, threatening legal action.
Guns N’ Roses
During the 2020 election cycle, Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose, who was already vocal about his opposition to Trump, was outraged when the Trump campaign began using the band’s hit “Sweet Child O’ Mine” at political events. Upon learning of its use in 2018, Rose released a scathing statement on X, condemning the unauthorized use of their music. He stated the following:
Unfortunately the Trump campaign is using loopholes in the various venues’ blanket performance licenses which were not intended for such craven political purposes, without the songwriters’ consent.
Can u say “shitbags?!”💩
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
Just so ya know… GNR like a lot of artists opposed to the unauthorized use of their music at political events has formally requested r music not b used at Trump rallies or Trump associated events.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
Linkin Park
During the 2020 election, a video ad shared by Dan Scavino, then the White House’s director of social media, and later retweeted by Trump, prompted a strong response from Linkin Park due to the unauthorized use of their song “In the End.” The band swiftly issued a cease-and-desist order against Trump’s team. The video was also taken down by X following a copyright complaint, and Linkin Park released a statement making it clear that they did not support or associate with Trump.
Pharrell
This was 2020, when Pharrell expressed his outrage when Trump used his song “Happy” at a rally in Indiana, which took place just hours after the tragic Tree of Life Congregation shooting in Pittsburgh. In response, the artist took swift action, having his lawyer send a cease-and-desist letter to the former president, demanding that he stop using the track. As per the letter “There was nothing ‘happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday and no permission was granted for your use of this song for this purpose,” it read.
Rihanna
Rihanna didn’t hold back when she discovered that Trump had used her 2007 hit “Don’t Stop the Music” at one of his rallies. She made her position crystal clear by posting a direct response on X, voicing her disapproval:
Not for much longer…me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up philip! https://t.co/dRgRi06GrJ
— Rihanna (@rihanna) November 5, 2018
Celine Dion
Upon discovering that Trump had played “My Heart Will Go On,” the hit song from the movie Titanic, Celine Dion’s team swiftly clarified that the singer had not authorized its use. They highlighted the irony of the situation with a humorous remark, stating, “This usage is in no way approved, and Celine Dion does not support this or any similar application… And seriously, that song?” This happened this very year! 2024, yeah!
Beyoncé
In the 2024 election cycle, after Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung shared a video of Trump disembarking from a plane to the song “Freedom”, which had already been designated as Kamala Harris’ campaign theme—Beyoncé’s team quickly issued a cease-and-desist to the former president. It’s important to highlight that Beyoncé had granted permission for Harris to use the song in her campaign efforts.
All information sourced from various platforms purely for factual reporting purposes only.
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