Trump campaign removes Beyoncé’s ‘Freedom’ video due to legal threat

The Trump Campaign’s Unauthorized Use of Beyoncé’s “Freedom”

The Trump campaign does not have the freedom to use Beyoncé’s “Freedom.”

Former President Donald Trump’s team has taken down a video featuring the singer’s song after her record label and music publisher reportedly threatened to send a cease-and-desist letter, Rolling Stone reported on Wednesday.

Beyoncé’s Impact and Permission for Kamala Harris

The video featured the Lemonade track playing as Trump walked off a plane in Michigan. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung posted the video on Twitter on Tuesday with the caption “Touchdown in Michigan!! @realDonaldTrump.” The tweet has since been deleted.

The 2016 song has become Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris’ unofficial presidential campaign anthem with her running mate Tim Walz, and Beyoncé’s team previously gave Harris’ camp permission to use it. Harris has used the song since beginning her presidential campaign earlier this summer, walking up to the podium while “Freedom” played in her first appearance after President Joe Biden’s endorsement, and as recently as Monday in a new ad also featuring Jeffrey Wright’s narration.

Beyoncé’s “Freedom” has also been played throughout the ongoing Democratic National Convention, currently taking place in Chicago.

Reactions and Legal Actions Against Trump’s Campaign

Representatives for Trump’s campaign and Beyoncé did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly’s request for comment.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly’s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

This is not the first time Trump’s team has used music without permission, prompting swift pushback from the artists. Earlier this month, Isaac Hayes’ estate took legal action against the Trump campaign for its use of “Hold On, I’m Coming” at multiple Trump rallies over the last two years. And Celine Dion posted a statement on Instagram calling out the Republican presidential candidate for playing a video of her performing “My Heart Will Go On” at a recent campaign stop without her permission. 

In April, the estate of late Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor blasted him for playing her 1990 hit “Nothing Compares 2 U” at several events, saying in a joint statement with Chrysalis Records, “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.'” 

Other artists who have spoken out against Trump for using their music include Pharrell, Johnny Marr of the Smiths, Adele, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Neil Young, Rihanna, Ozzy Osbourne, Nickelback, Linkin Park, the Rolling Stones, Village People, Panic! at the Disco, Queen, R.E.M, and the estates and families of Tom Petty, Laura Branigan, Prince, and George Harrison. Still, Trump has continued to play many of their songs without permission at his events.

FAQs

Q: Why did Beyoncé’s team give permission to Kamala Harris but not to the Trump campaign?

A: Beyoncé’s team likely aligned with Harris’ political views and campaign message, making it a strategic decision to allow the use of “Freedom” in her campaign.

Q: What legal actions have been taken against the Trump campaign for unauthorized music use?

A: Various artists and estates, such as Isaac Hayes’ and Sinéad O’Connor’s, have taken legal action or issued statements against the Trump campaign for using their music without permission.

Q: How has the music industry responded to Trump’s unauthorized use of songs?

A: Many artists, including Pharrell, Adele, and Guns N’ Roses, have publicly denounced Trump for using their music without consent, leading to ongoing controversies.

Q: What consequences could the Trump campaign face for unauthorized music use?

A: The campaign could potentially face legal repercussions, fines, or damage to their reputation for repeatedly using music without obtaining proper permissions.

Credit: ew.com