Former President Donald Trump’s penchant for playing popular music at his rallies has frustrated artists who don’t appreciate his politics or his use of their work to pump up his crowds.
Different artists and musical groups have objected to the Trump campaign using their music for different reasons, ranging from political disagreements to displeasure that his campaign didn’t explicitly ask them for permission to use their work. However, the complaints are usually in vain, as blanket licenses that can be purchased by Trump’s campaign allow the use of songs regardless of the artists’ feelings.
Artists and groups enlist performing rights organizations to manage licenses for their songs. These groups grant blanket licenses, or else they have to grant licenses individually to countless venues or organizations. Once an organization obtains a blanket license, as the Trump campaign says it has, it is legally allowed to play any song covered under the license, whether the individual artist or musical group grants explicit permission or not.
More than 41 artists and bands have taken issue with Trump using their music at campaign events. Here are some of the most significant:
ABBA
On Thursday, ABBA’s record companies, Universal Music Publishing AB and Polar Music International AB, sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump after learning that he had used several of the group’s songs at his rallies.
“Universal Music Publishing AB and Polar Music International AB have not received any request, so no permission or license has been granted to Trump,” the companies continued in the letter.
The message was notably apolitical. It requested an end to the use of the group’s music due to a lack of permission without expressing explicit political disagreement, in contrast to the denunciations of other artists and groups.
Several of ABBA’s songs were featured at Trump’s events before he took the stage, and the music video was often included. At the July 13 Butler, Pennsylvania, rally, the site of the assassination attempt on Trump, the music video for “The Winner Takes it All” was played on the screen that the former president credits with saving his life.
A Trump campaign spokesman told the Associated Press that it had the appropriate licensing to play the song through its agreement with BMI and ASCAP.
Elton John
John objected to Trump’s use of his songs “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man” at campaign rallies in 2016. However, his objection wasn’t on political grounds, even saying that his personal interactions with Trump were pleasant, but rather his belief that as a British citizen, his music shouldn’t be involved in American politics.
“I’m British,” he told Rolling Stone. “I’ve met Donald Trump, he was very nice to me, it’s nothing personal, his political views are his own, mine are very different, I’m not a Republican in a million years. Why not ask Ted f***ing Nugent? Or one of those f***ing country stars? They’ll do it for you.”
Adele
Trump is a fan of Adele, even attending one of her concerts in November 2015 during his campaign. His use of songs such as “Skyfall” and “Rolling in the Deep” at his campaign rallies drew the singer to distance herself from him.
“Adele has not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning,” her spokesman said in 2016.
Adele later endorsed Trump’s opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and issued a small rebuke of Trump.
“I just don’t think anybody should be building walls or s*** like that right now,” Adele said in an interview with Vanity Fair. “I think we need to look after each other.”
Aerosmith
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler took issue with Trump’s use of his songs at rallies in 2015 and 2018, though not on a political basis. Tyler said his objection to the use of the music was simply because he doesn’t want anyone using his songs without permission or for them to play at any rallies.
“THIS IS NOT ABOUT DEMS VS. REPUB,” he said in a post on X. “I DO NOT LET ANYONE USE MY SONGS WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. MY MUSIC IS FOR CAUSES NOT FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS OR RALLIES. PROTECTING COPYRIGHT AND SONGWRITERS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR EVEN BEFORE THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TOOK OFFICE.”
Sinead O’Connor
O’Connor, known for her liberal political activism, died in 2023. Her estate, however, took great issue with Trump using her cover of the Prince song “Nothing Compares 2 U” at a rally in 2024. They objected to the use on the grounds that Trump’s political views were contrary to those of O’Connor.
“It is no exaggeration to say that Sinéad would have been disgusted, hurt, and insulted to have her work misrepresented in this way by someone who she herself referred to as a ‘biblical devil,’” O’Connor’s estate said in its demand that Trump stop playing her music.
Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters objected to Trump’s use of their song “My Hero” to introduce former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying that the Trump campaign had not sought permission and that they would not have granted permission if asked. A spokesperson for the band said that “appropriate actions are being taken.”
However, the Trump campaign said it had the appropriate licensing through BMI’s Songview service. Stumped, the band said that it would donate royalties from the song to Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign.
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The White Stripes
After Trump’s deputy director of communications, Margo Martin, posted a video on social media showing Trump boarding a plane to the White Stripes hit “Seven Nation Army,” singer Jack White issued a statement bashing him on Instagram. He also threatened a lawsuit.
“Don’t even think about using my music you fascists,” the statement reads. “Law suit coming from my lawyers about this (to add to your 5 thousand others.) Have a great day at work today Margo Martin. And as long as I’m here, a double f*** you DonOLD for insulting our nation’s veterans at Arlington you scum. You should lose every military family’s vote immediately from that if ANYTHING makes sense anymore.”
