Over the years, Donald Trump has faced criticism from several musicians for using their songs without obtaining proper permissions during his political events and campaigns. These accusations have led to legal battles and public statements from the artists involved. Below are some notable musicians who have taken action against Trump for copyright infringement.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé's team issued a cease-and-desist letter to Donald Trump after he was seen stepping off a plane to her song "Freedom." The song had already been adopted as Kamala Harris' campaign theme, prompting Beyoncé's legal team to take swift action against the unauthorized use of the track.
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Foo Fighters
The Foo Fighters were vocal about their disapproval when their iconic song "My Hero" was played at an event welcoming election dropout Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The band stated that they had not granted permission for the song's use and expressed dismay over the situation.
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Eddy Grant
In a significant legal ruling, a judge found that Donald Trump violated the copyright of Eddy Grant's 1983 hit "Electric Avenue." The song was used in a 2020 animated campaign video, leading to a court decision in favor of Grant. Trump was ordered to pay damages and cover Grant's legal expenses.
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The White Stripes
The White Stripes took legal action against Trump for the unauthorized use of their hit song "Seven Nation Army" in a campaign video. The band accused Trump of "flagrant misappropriation" of their music, furthering the string of copyright disputes faced by the former president.
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Sinéad O'Connor, Celine Dion, and Isaac Hayes' Estate
In addition to the cases mentioned above, other prominent artists like Sinéad O'Connor, Celine Dion, and the estate of Isaac Hayes have also called out Donald Trump’s campaign for illegally using their music without permission, adding their voices to the growing list of musicians opposing Trump’s practices.
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