Throughout his presidency and beyond, President Donald Trump has faced many controversies regarding his public image, policies, and personal life. One of the most talked-about things is the music associated with his campaign rallies and public appearances.
While Trump is always using popular songs at his events, many stars are not happy about their music being tied to his political agenda. Some even publicly said that their music be pulled from Trump’s events and rallies. We compiled a list of 12 major stars who forbade the President from using their music and the reasons behind their decision.
1. Rihanna
Rihanna is the first artist on our list who was adamant about Donald Trump using her music. The pop star’s hit “Don’t Stop the Music” was used at a rally in 2016 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Immediately after that, her team sent a cease-and-desist letter that threatened legal action.
She publicly addressed the issue on her social media platforms, saying that she did not support Trump and that she didn’t want her music to be used to further his political agenda. She was also an outspoken critic of his politics, particularly in relation to his treatment of marginalized communities.
2. The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones were always outspoken in their opposition to Donald Trump using their music. One of their most famous songs, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” was used at the President’s rallies, but the rock stars quickly made it clear that they did not support Trump’s political views and did not want their music associated with his campaign.
The band sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump’s team, demanding that their music be immediately removed from all future events. The Rolling Stones have a long history of political activism, and their disapproval of Trump was well known.
3. Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s popular song “Run the World” was used at one of Trump’s events, even if one of the biggest pop stars didn’t approve of it. At that moment, she did not issue a public statement about the incident, although her long-standing political activism made it clear that she did not align with Trump’s values.
However, the star and her team issued a cease-and-desist letter after a spokesperson for Trump shared a video online in which her song “Freedom” was used. After this episode, “Freedom” became an unofficial anthem for the Kamala Harris presidential campaign.
4. Queen
Queen’s iconic anthem, “We Are the Champions,” was a song that Trump used a lot during his presidential campaign, despite the band’s objection. Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor were the ones to condemn the use of their music for political purposes. The stars made it clear that they didn’t support Trump and were not happy with the association.
May went as far as saying that Trump using their music was “a violation of their moral rights.”.
5. Celine Dion
Celine Dion’s powerhouse vocals made her one of the biggest stars in the world. The singer was not thrilled when Trump’s team used her song “My Heart Will Go On” from the Titanic soundtrack during one of his rallies. She went on to say that her music was meant to bring people together, not to be exploited for political purposes.
She issued a statement on all her social media platforms that slammed Trump for unauthorized usage of the song. Dion made it clear that she did not support the president’s policies and that she was uncomfortable with her hit being used this way.
6. R.E.M
The band was vocal in their oppositions to Trump’s use of their music, especially after the campaign staff used their hit “It’s the End of the World” at rallies. One of the band’s stars, Michael Stipe, made it clear that the band did not want their music to be used in Trump’s events. He publicly criticized Trump and called him “attention-grabbing, power-hungry little man.”
The band’s stance was caused by their disapproval of the president’s policies and behavior, which went against the message of inclusivity and understanding that their music promoted.
7. Prince
In the 2016 campaign, Trump’s team used Prince’s hit “Purple Rain” at a rally. The late musician, one of the biggest stars in the world, passed away in 2016. He was known for his activism, including his outspoken views on race, freedom, and equality.
Prince’s estate made it clear that his music shouldn’t be used to promote any political candidate, including Trump. In fact, Prince had always been particular about how his music was used, and his estate continued that legacy by banning anyone to use it in political campaigns.
8. Neil Young
Neil Young is no stranger to political activism, and he has always used his platform to express his opinions and views. When Trump played his song “Rocking in the Free World” during his rallies, the artist made it clear that he was not happy with the association.
Eventually, in 2020, Young sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the song be pulled from all future events. He later described the use of his song as wrong and a misuse of its message. A few months later, the artist chose to dismiss the complaint.
9. The Beatles
The Beatles, through their estates, made it clear that their music is not to be used in political campaigns, especially by a figure like Trump. Their song “Come Together” was played at a 2016 rally, but the estate of rock stars John Lennon and Paul McCartney issued a statement asking for the removal of their music from all of Trump’s events.
The Beatles’ music, which was always about love and peace, was in contrast to the divising and polarizing policies that Trump promoted during his campaign.
10. Kelly Clarkson
American Idol winner and one of the biggest pop stars, Kelly Clarkson, found herself in a similar situation when her hit “Stronger” was used without her approval. Clarkson, who publicly voiced her disapproval of Trump on numerous occasions, quickly made it known that she did not support his campaign.
On her social platforms, she shared that she had not given permission for her music to be used for a campaign that she didn’t endorse. She went to explain that her music speaks about resilience and inclusivity, and her stance against Trump was clear and firm.
11. Elton John
Elton John, who is known for his advocacy for human rights and LGBTQ+ issues, has also criticized Trump’s use of his music. Despite the fact that the president played Elton John’s “Rocket Man” at rallies, the artist clarified that he had no affiliation with Trump.
The star publicly said that he did not agree with Trump’s policies and was not happy with the song being used as a song for the president’s campaign.
12. Lynyrd Skynyrd
While the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is often associated with their popular song ”Sweet Home Alabama,” which is a fan favorite at rallies, the band made it clear that they were not supportive of Trump’s use of their music. The rock stars distanced themselves from the president’s campaign, clarifying that they did not endorse his political career.
Despite the song’s association with southern pride, the band’s guitarist, Gary Rossington, went on to say that the band’s music should not be used for political agendas they did not support.
To learn more about Donald Trump, you can read his biography: The Making of Donald Trump.
Are you interested in reading more about the American president? Here is an article for you: Trump’s Family Tree REVEALED
