Musical Acts Who’ve Called Out 2024 Trump Campaign for Illegal Use of Their Songs

As a long-time music enthusiast and someone who has seen the power of a good tune firsthand, I can’t help but feel a mix of amusement and disbelief at the antics of Donald Trump‘s campaign team. It seems they have a knack for selecting iconic tracks without the necessary permissions, causing a stir that would make even the calmest of artists bristle with indignation.

For over nine years now, I’ve found myself sharing a peculiar, unsettling moment with some exceptional music artists I admire. It seems this experience is unique to them due to their extraordinary talents. This moment, when it strikes, is a potent blend of emotions: fear, anger, sadness from deep loss, and the bitter sting of betrayal or theft. This is the instant when some of the most gifted musicians from the last five decades discovered that Donald Trump, or his campaign team, had appropriated one of their masterpieces – often a career-defining moment for them – without consent, to fuel his presidential run.

3 artists such as R.E.M., Guns N’ Roses, and Neil Young experienced shock when they discovered that their emotionally resonant songs, poignant lyrics, and carefully constructed melodies were utilized to promote a cause they strongly disagree with. In the 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, these artists, along with many others, have made news for condemning the misuse of their music by Trump. R.E.M. even threatened legal action against “45,” while Guns N’ Roses responded to the infringement of their Wings cover by creating Trump-themed T-shirts that read, “Live N’ Let Die with COVID 45.”

Given that the country finds itself in the midst of the third presidential campaign for a former leader who’s been vocal about using certain songs despite numerous denunciations, cease-and-desist notices being ignored, and an atmosphere filled with raw anger surrounding this issue, one might expect Trump and his team to exercise prudence when it comes to choosing music that could stir or influence the emotions of current and potential supporters. However, why should they worry about such a thing? To date, no artist has taken legal action against Trump for using their songs without permission. This is because, as attorney James L. Walker explained to The Hollywood Reporter, the hassle and cost of suing Trump are significant deterrents; most people simply don’t have the time or resources to take him to court—a decision often made due to the belief that challenging Trump in court is a futile effort, allowing his controversial business practices to persist unchecked.

Next week, things could shift significantly as Donald Trump, his campaign, and some supporters will stand trial in an Atlanta courtroom, facing off against Isaac Hayes III. Hayes is leading the charge with a lawsuit due to Team Trump’s habitual and unrepentant disregard for copyright laws. In recognition of this legal milestone, THR has gathered all the songs used by Trump during his 2024 campaign, each of which has attracted the anger of artists or copyright holders in the public domain.

The White Stripes – “Seven Nation Army”

“White expressed strong disapproval on Instagram yesterday after a staff member from Trump’s communications team shared a video of the candidate boarding a plane to Michigan. The music playing in the background was one of White’s songs. White threatened legal action, stating that his lawyers would be filing a lawsuit over this incident (in addition to the numerous others they are already dealing with). It seems history is repeating itself as this isn’t the first time White’s music has been used without permission in a Trump campaign – a similar incident occurred in 2016. Back then, White and his label launched a merchandise line featuring an altered version of their latest album titled ‘Icky Trump.'”

Sinéad O’Connor – “Nothing Compares 2 U”

A unified declaration criticizing Trump’s exploitation of Sinead O’Connor’s popular song was issued by her estate and record label following his campaign’s use of the track at rallies in North Carolina and Maryland last March. Originally composed by Prince for his band, The Family, and later reworked into a cover by the Irish singer-songwriter, the song was played at these events. The statement expressed that Sinead would have been deeply offended, distressed, and affronted to see her work twisted in this manner by someone she had labeled as a “biblical devil.” As custodians of her legacy, they demanded that Trump and his associates cease using her music right away. That’s a sting!

The Smiths – “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want”

The Smiths’ tender ballad, written in waltz-time, being piped into the massive venues where Trump held a January rally in New Hampshire and it soon emerged, in 2023 in South Dakota, was jarring for fans of the beloved 1980s Manchester band. But it was just too much for Johnny Marr, who wrote the music to which frontman Morrissey croons out lyrics that pull off being both bitingly ironic and deeply sincere. “Ahh…right…OK. I never in a million years would’ve thought this could come to pass. Consider this shit shut right down right now,” Marr wrote on X (formerly Twitter) following the use of the song, originally a b-side to an early hit single. Morrissey, whose political slide to the far right saw him praising the right-wing, populist U.K. Independence party and Reform U.K. party leader Nigel Farage, never publicly commented on the classic track’s use by Trump.

Celine Dion – “My Heart Will Go On”

During a rally in Montana last month, a video emerged of Trump playing Celine Dion’s famous “Titanic” melody as the crowd moved and emotions ran high. This unexpected use of the song left Dion taken aback, especially given her recent captivating performance at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony. Swiftly fitting this into her busy schedule, she made it clear to Trump that Queen Celine was displeased with his choice. In response, Dion’s management and Sony Music Canada issued a joint statement clarifying that “this use is not authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse or support such usage.” They added a playful jab by asking, “And honestly…that song?” As the saying goes, mess with the queen at your own risk.

Sam & Dave – “Hold On I’m Comin’”

In 1966, a timeless tune penned by Isaac Hayes called “Hold On, I’m Comin'” might serve to curb the careless approach of Team Trump concerning copyright. Originating from the 1960s, this Sam & Dave hit is now under dispute by Hayes’ family, led by his son, Isaac Hayes III, who has filed a lawsuit against the Trump camp for playing it at their rallies. The songwriter’s son stated that he calculates the track has been used more than 135 times over the past years without Trump’s team seeking approval or paying to license the soulful anthem. Hayes expressed his anger when, during a 2022 National Rifle Association rally following the Uvalde school shooting where 19 children and two adults were killed, Trump concluded his speech using this song while dancing. “I demand a complete removal of the song and the amount previously requested,” Hayes told THR this month. “And I hope never to see that song used again.”

Foo Fighters – “My Hero”

At an Arizona rally, Donald Trump played Foo Fighters’ hit “My Hero” while introducing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a joker known for his past as an independent candidate and bear cub corpse humor. However, the band had a firm refusal when they learned about this, saying simply “No”. A disagreement ensued when a Trump campaign representative claimed that the rights to the song had been obtained for the Republican candidate, even going as far as tweeting at the band using Foo Fighters’ songs: “Facts matter, don’t be a Pretender,” said Steven Cheung. In the end, it was the Foo Fighters who had the last laugh, as they announced that any additional royalties from the song following its use at the Arizona event would be donated to Kamala Harris’ campaign.

ABBA – “Money, Money, Money”

This week, the iconic Swedish group ABBA may have experienced a distinct sense of dismay upon realizing that Donald Trump’s campaign had utilized their work without authorization. Specifically, several of their popular songs were played without permission – notably “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes it All,” and their most famous hit, “Dancing Queen.” The band has issued an official statement and a legal request for the music to be stopped; they have also asked Team Trump to remove any footage featuring these songs from any platforms where they appear.

Beyonce – “Freedom”

This powerful track, now synonymous with the 2020 protests that rattled the nation and helped to elevate its awareness around its issues with racism that came after the police murder of George Floyd, as well as the campaign of Trump’s Democratic rival Harris was scooped up and used without permission by a higher-up in Trump’s camp, then immediately shot down and called out by anyone who saw what the GOP spokesman was trying to do but failing at spectacularly. Next came those words: cease and desist and the wonder, both of what this staffer was thinking and when someone else in the GOP leader’s campaign is going to pull something ridiculous like that again.

2024-08-31 03:25