Below are musicians who have voiced opposition to their music being used by Trump at his rallies, or for other political purposes, and the actions they took in response to their music's use.
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith demanded that Trump stop playing " Dream On" at Trump's political rallies in 2015. In 2018, it happened again, with Tyler demanding Trump stop using another song, " Living on the Edge", at his political rallies. A cease and desist letter was sent both times.
George Harrison's estate denounced the use of the Harrison-written Beatles song " Here Comes the Sun" after the Trump campaign used the song to introduce Ivanka Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention. The estate noted that Trump did not have permission to use this song, but that they would consider allowing him to use the Harrison song " Beware of Darkness".
Bruce Springsteen opposed Trump using his song " Born in the U.S.A." at Trump's political rallies in 2016. Rather than take legal action, he openly announced his support for Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, and campaigned in support of her. As a result, the song would instead get booed every time Trump played it at rallies from that point on.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
John Fogerty, the frontman for the band Creedence Clearwater Revival, has opposed Trump's use of the band's song " Fortunate Son". In October 2020, Fogerty announced he was sending a cease-and-desist letter to Trump, saying that Trump "is using my words and my voice to portray a message that I do not endorse". Fogerty noted that it was quite the opposite-the song's lyrics were meant as a critique of how wealthy people are unfairly able to avoid the draft or pay their share of taxes. Later on, he openly endorsed Trump's 2020 challenger, Joe Biden, by launching his own TikTok account following Trump's defiance of the cease and desist order over usage of his song, "Fortunate Son".
On May 28, 2022, the family of Isaac Hayes harshly criticized Trump for using the Sam & Dave song " Hold On, I'm Comin'" at a National Rifle Association convention: "The estate and family of Isaac Hayes DID NOT approve and would NEVER approve the use of "Hold on I'm coming" by Sam and Dave by Donald Trump at this weekends @NRA convention. Our condolences go out to the victims and families of #Uvalde and mass shooting victims everywhere." Song co-writer David Porter also objected to the use of the song, stating on Twitter, "Someone shared with me Donald Trump used the song 'Hold On I'm Coming' for a speaking appearance of his. Hell to the No! I did Not and would NOT approve of them using the song for any of his purposes! I also know Isaac's estate wouldn't approve as well! #Memphis #Music #Grammy" On August 10, 2024, the family of Isaac Hayes threatened Trump with legal action if he continued to use " Hold On, I'm Comin', which Trump used at a Bozeman, Montana, rally on that date. The family, alleging copyright infringement, demanded $3m in licensing fees for Trump's use of the song between 2022 and 2024 and stated that if there was no resolution, it would sue Trump for damages of $150,000 per use of the song.
On July 18, 2020, Trump retweeted a fan-made re-election campaign video ad featuring a cover of Linkin Park's " In the End". Twitter received a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice from the band's management company, Machine Shop Entertainment, and the video was pulled. Linkin Park followed up with a response, "Linkin Park did not and does not endorse Trump, nor authorize his organization to use any of our music. A cease and desist has been issued." The late lead singer, Chester Bennington, had before called Trump a "greater threat to the USA than terrorism."
Neil Young has indicated multiple times that he does not approve of the use of his song " Rockin' in the Free World" at Trump rallies, which has been done since 2015. Young conceded he had no legal grounds to oppose the song's use, but in 2020 he wrote a scathing open letter directed at Trump that stated: "Every time 'Rockin' in the Free World' or one of my songs is played at your rallies, I hope you hear my voice. Remember it is the voice of a tax-paying U.S. citizen who does not support you. Me."He later objected to the use of the song in Trump's speech at Mount Rushmore on the Fourth of July of the same year.
Nickelback indicated that they did not support Trump's use of their song " Photograph". When Trump tweeted a doctored version of the song and music video on Twitter, the band's record label, Warner Music Group, issued a copyright claim, leading to the video being taken down. Sales of the real version of the song jumped over 500% in the days afterwards despite the takedown.
Nico Vega criticized a "fight for Trump" video, shared by President Donald Trump on twitter 20 December 2020, for using their song " Beast". "To be clear, Nico Vega does not support the use of our song "Beast" in Trump's recent video, We have love and empathy for all people of all backgrounds, races and beliefs, and we feel sick how all Americans' fears and vulnerabilities have been exploited over the last four years, We will not participate in a form of propaganda that pits Americans against one another." On December 23, 2020 Billboard magazine reported that Nico Vega dropped a "Cease and Desist" Playlist on Spotify which listed all the songs and bands who had opposed Trump's use of their songs at rallies or in campaign videos.
R.E.M. has opposed the use of their music by Trump on a number of occasions. In 2015, vocalist Michael Stipe voiced opposition of " It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" at Trump rallies, stating "Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign." In 2019, bassist Mike Mills spoke out about Trump's promotion of a video containing the unauthorized use of the song " Everybody Hurts", urging Twitter to take it down, which it eventually did. Later in 2020, Mills threatened legal action over using "Everybody Hurts" and " Losing My Religion" at Trump's rallies.
The family of Tom Petty denounced Trump's use of the song " I Won't Back Down" at political rallies in 2020. The family sent the campaign a cease and desist letter, stating that the song was written for the " underdog" and " common man", and that Trump did not represent either.
In June 2020 Village People frontman Victor Willis asked that Trump no longer use any of his music at his rallies, particularly the songs " Macho Man" and " Y.M.C.A." After a cease-and-Adele
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith demanded that Trump stop playing " Dream On" at Trump's political rallies in 2015. In 2018, it happened again, with Tyler demanding Trump stop using another song, " Living on the Edge", at his political rallies. A cease and desist letter was sent both times.
George Harrison's estate denounced the use of the Harrison-written Beatles song " Here Comes the Sun" after the Trump campaign used the song to introduce Ivanka Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention. The estate noted that Trump did not have permission to use this song, but that they would consider allowing him to use the Harrison song " Beware of Darkness".
Bruce Springsteen opposed Trump using his song " Born in the U.S.A." at Trump's political rallies in 2016. Rather than take legal action, he openly announced his support for Trump's opponent, Hillary Clinton, and campaigned in support of her. As a result, the song would instead get booed every time Trump played it at rallies from that point on.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
John Fogerty, the frontman for the band Creedence Clearwater Revival, has opposed Trump's use of the band's song " Fortunate Son". In October 2020, Fogerty announced he was sending a cease-and-desist letter to Trump, saying that Trump "is using my words and my voice to portray a message that I do not endorse". Fogerty noted that it was quite the opposite-the song's lyrics were meant as a critique of how wealthy people are unfairly able to avoid the draft or pay their share of taxes. Later on, he openly endorsed Trump's 2020 challenger, Joe Biden, by launching his own TikTok account following Trump's defiance of the cease and desist order over usage of his song, "Fortunate Son".
On May 28, 2022, the family of Isaac Hayes harshly criticized Trump for using the Sam & Dave song " Hold On, I'm Comin'" at a National Rifle Association convention: "The estate and family of Isaac Hayes DID NOT approve and would NEVER approve the use of "Hold on I'm coming" by Sam and Dave by Donald Trump at this weekends @NRA convention. Our condolences go out to the victims and families of #Uvalde and mass shooting victims everywhere." Song co-writer David Porter also objected to the use of the song, stating on Twitter, "Someone shared with me Donald Trump used the song 'Hold On I'm Coming' for a speaking appearance of his. Hell to the No! I did Not and would NOT approve of them using the song for any of his purposes! I also know Isaac's estate wouldn't approve as well! #Memphis #Music #Grammy" On August 10, 2024, the family of Isaac Hayes threatened Trump with legal action if he continued to use " Hold On, I'm Comin', which Trump used at a Bozeman, Montana, rally on that date. The family, alleging copyright infringement, demanded $3m in licensing fees for Trump's use of the song between 2022 and 2024 and stated that if there was no resolution, it would sue Trump for damages of $150,000 per use of the song.
On July 18, 2020, Trump retweeted a fan-made re-election campaign video ad featuring a cover of Linkin Park's " In the End". Twitter received a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice from the band's management company, Machine Shop Entertainment, and the video was pulled. Linkin Park followed up with a response, "Linkin Park did not and does not endorse Trump, nor authorize his organization to use any of our music. A cease and desist has been issued." The late lead singer, Chester Bennington, had before called Trump a "greater threat to the USA than terrorism."
Neil Young has indicated multiple times that he does not approve of the use of his song " Rockin' in the Free World" at Trump rallies, which has been done since 2015. Young conceded he had no legal grounds to oppose the song's use, but in 2020 he wrote a scathing open letter directed at Trump that stated: "Every time 'Rockin' in the Free World' or one of my songs is played at your rallies, I hope you hear my voice. Remember it is the voice of a tax-paying U.S. citizen who does not support you. Me."He later objected to the use of the song in Trump's speech at Mount Rushmore on the Fourth of July of the same year.
Nickelback indicated that they did not support Trump's use of their song " Photograph". When Trump tweeted a doctored version of the song and music video on Twitter, the band's record label, Warner Music Group, issued a copyright claim, leading to the video being taken down. Sales of the real version of the song jumped over 500% in the days afterwards despite the takedown.
Nico Vega criticized a "fight for Trump" video, shared by President Donald Trump on twitter 20 December 2020, for using their song " Beast". "To be clear, Nico Vega does not support the use of our song "Beast" in Trump's recent video, We have love and empathy for all people of all backgrounds, races and beliefs, and we feel sick how all Americans' fears and vulnerabilities have been exploited over the last four years, We will not participate in a form of propaganda that pits Americans against one another." On December 23, 2020 Billboard magazine reported that Nico Vega dropped a "Cease and Desist" Playlist on Spotify which listed all the songs and bands who had opposed Trump's use of their songs at rallies or in campaign videos.
R.E.M. has opposed the use of their music by Trump on a number of occasions. In 2015, vocalist Michael Stipe voiced opposition of " It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" at Trump rallies, stating "Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign." In 2019, bassist Mike Mills spoke out about Trump's promotion of a video containing the unauthorized use of the song " Everybody Hurts", urging Twitter to take it down, which it eventually did. Later in 2020, Mills threatened legal action over using "Everybody Hurts" and " Losing My Religion" at Trump's rallies.
The family of Tom Petty denounced Trump's use of the song " I Won't Back Down" at political rallies in 2020. The family sent the campaign a cease and desist letter, stating that the song was written for the " underdog" and " common man", and that Trump did not represent either.
In June 2020 Village People frontman Victor Willis asked that Trump no longer use any of his music at his rallies, particularly the songs " Macho Man" and " Y.M.C.A." After a cease-and-desist order by Willis, usage continued. Scorpio Music, Village People's label, are considering legal action against Trump for using "Y.M.C.A." at his rallies.
Following a political ad for the Trump campaign using the song " Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes in October 2016, lead singer Jack White and his former wife and drummer, Meg White, issued a statement that they did not give permission for Trump to use their music, nor were they implying their support for him. The record label Third Man Records asked Trump not to use The White Stripes, or any of Third Man Records material for his rallies. In the weeks following, they also released merchandise referencing their final studio album , renaming it "Icky Trump", and including altered lyrics related to the ideologies of Trump and his supporters.
French singer-songwriter and music video director, Yoann Lemoine, under his stage name "Woodkid" condemned Trump for the use of his song, " Run Boy Run" during the 2024 presidential rally. Lemoine also stated that "Run Boy Run" is an LGBT+ anthem. order by Willis, usage continued. Scorpio Music, Village People's label, are considering legal action against Trump for using "Y.M.C.A." at his rallies.
Following a political ad for the Trump campaign using the song " Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes in October 2016, lead singer Jack White and his former wife and drummer, Meg White, issued a statement that they did not give permission for Trump to use their music, nor were they implying their support for him. The record label Third Man Records asked Trump not to use The White Stripes, or any of Third Man Records material for his rallies. In the weeks following, they also released merchandise referencing their final studio album , renaming it "Icky Trump", and including altered lyrics related to the ideologies of Trump and his supporters.
French singer-songwriter and music video director, Yoann Lemoine, under his stage name "Woodkid" condemned Trump for the use of his song, " Run Boy Run" during the 2024 presidential rally. Lemoine also stated that "Run Boy Run" is an LGBT+ anthem.
