Rufus Wainwright has recently joined the growing list of musicians expressing disapproval towards Donald J. Trump for using their music during a presidential campaign rally.
Wainwright’s Criticism
Wainwright criticized the Republican candidate for playing his cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at a town hall in Oaks, Pa. on Oct. 14. The event, initially intended for a Q-and-A session with the audience, took a turn into a spontaneous listening party as Trump took the stage and played a selection of songs, including Wainwright’s rendition of “Hallelujah.”
Wainwright’s Statement
In a statement, Wainwright expressed, “The song ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen has become an anthem dedicated to peace, love, and acceptance of the truth. I’ve been deeply honored to be associated with this tribute to tolerance over the years. Witnessing Trump and his supporters engage with this music last night was the epitome of sacrilege. While I do not endorse this, I hope that by truly listening to the lyrics of Cohen’s masterpiece, Donald Trump may feel a sense of remorse for the consequences of his actions. However, I remain skeptical.”
Trump’s Musical Interlude
According to The New York Times, Trump, about 30 minutes into the scheduled town hall, paused the political program due to a medical emergency in the crowd. Opting to forego the political discussion, he decided to indulge in music, playing tracks like Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.,” Elvis Presley’s music, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” and even watching a Sinead O’Connor video.
Musician Backlash
Many musicians have followed suit in condemning Trump for using their music without permission, including Jack White, Céline Dion, ABBA, Foo Fighters, and the estate of Isaac Hayes, among others.
Legal Action
The White Stripes’ Jack White and Meg White have taken legal action against Trump, accusing him of “flagrant misappropriation” of their song “Seven Nation Army.” They filed a complaint in the Southern District of New York, with Jack sharing the first page of the complaint on Instagram, captioned with, “This machine sues fascists.”
Isaac Hayes’ Estate
In the case of Isaac Hayes’ family, the estate demanded $3 million for the unauthorized use of “Hold On, I’m Coming” at events. Trump’s representatives assured compliance, and the song was subsequently removed from the campaign trail.
FAQs
Q: Why are musicians upset with Donald Trump using their music?
A: Musicians are upset because Trump has been using their music without permission, leading to legal issues and concerns about association with his political views.
Q: What actions have musicians taken against Trump?
A: Some musicians, like Jack White and the estate of Isaac Hayes, have taken legal action against Trump for unauthorized use of their music, seeking compensation and compliance.
Q: How has Trump responded to the backlash from musicians?
A: Trump’s representatives have assured compliance with musicians’ demands and have removed certain songs from his campaign events to avoid further controversy.
Credit: variety.com
