NEW YORK, NY.- Some of the worlds best-known musicians, or their estates, have objected to former President Donald Trump using their songs at his rallies and in campaign videos as he aims to win a second term in the White House this November.
Trump has faced similar backlash from artists before, during his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, as well as the 2018 midterm season. The list of objectors includes chart toppers and cult favorites, from The Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Guns N Roses and Linkin Park to the estates of Prince and Tom Petty. Along with scathing criticism of Trumps politics and demands to stop using their music, some threatened legal action.
The number of musicians who want to distance themselves from Trump has grown in 2024. Here are some of the artists who have objected this year to his campaign using their music.
ABBA: The Swedish pop group ABBA requested that its songs and videos not be used by the Trump campaign after learning that they featured at one of his rallies, a representative said in a statement. No permission or license has been granted, the statement said. The Trump campaign said it had a license, according to The Associated Press.
Celine Dion: During a rally in Montana on Aug. 9 that also featured Trumps running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, organizers played My Heart Will Go On, the Canadian superstars hit song from the movie Titanic. Dion said in a post on social media that its use was unauthorized and that she did not endorse it, adding, And really, THAT song?
Foo Fighters: Hours after he suspended his campaign, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared at a Trump rally on Aug. 23 to the Foo Fighters hit My Hero. When asked by a user on the social platform X if it had allowed Trump to use the song, the rock band, which performed at an event for President Joe Bidens inauguration, said: No.
Isaac Hayes: The estate of Isaac Hayes, a soul singer and songwriter, has said it is suing Trump and his campaign for copyright infringement over the use of Hayes songs.
Johnny Marr: After a user on X posted a video in which a song by The Smiths is heard playing at a Trump rally venue, Johnny Marr, a guitarist and songwriter in the revered 1980s band, said he would get it shut down right now.
Jack White: Jack White, formerly of The White Stripes, threatened to sue the Trump campaign this week after one of the former presidents campaign staffers posted a video on X with the bands hit Seven Nation Army playing in the background. Dont even think about using my music, White said. The X post by Trump staff member Margo Martin has since been deleted.
This article originally appeared in
The New York Times.