Musicians who refused to let Donald Trump use their songs for his campaign, rallies and inauguration

Rounding up the many, many musicians who have sent cease and desist letters to the President
Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 4 - Nov. 9
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Margaret Abrams24 June 2020

Throughout Donald Trump's election bid and presidency, the former reality star has attempted to use many musician's songs as campaign anthems - however, for the most part, artists have asked not to be associated with him.

Adele, The Rolling Stones, R.E.M., Luciano Pavarotti, Queen, George Harrison and more artists have refused to let him use their songs at public events.

While former President Obama had many celebrities sing for him proudly throughout the years - Solange Knowles, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Nick Jonas, Usher and Chance the Rapper all attended his final White House party - Trump has had a more difficult time gaining celebrity support. Many refused to perform at his inauguration ball and gospel singer Chrisette Michele even ended up apologizing for performing and said her family "disowned" her for her performance.

Below, we've rounded up some of the most heated responses to Trump using certain songs or asking musicians to perform.

Brendon Urie

After finding out that the song 'High Hopes' was used at the Trump rally in Oklahoma, frontman Panic at the Disco Brendon Urie tweeted that the Trump campaign was not given permission to use his music.

He followed his tweet with a link so his fans could register to vote for Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the November election.

Tom Petty

Tom Petty's family was not pleased when Trump played 'I Won't Back Down' at his recent rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was not as well-attended as he hoped after TikTok teens reserved tickets and then did not come. Petty's family issued their own petty cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign and posted a statement to Twitter on behalf of the late Florida rocker. It read, "Tom Petty would never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate. He liked to bring people together." He did allow Hillary Clinton to use the same song during her campaign.

Moby

After proud vegan Moby was asked to DJ at the inauguration he posted an Instagram comment with his feelings, writing that he'd consider DJing if Trump released his tax returns.

Ice T

The Law and Order: SVU star was also asked to perform in 2016 - the rapper swiftly blocked the number.

Dixie Chicks

The country group is known for their more liberal political views and outspoken nature, which started during the George W. Bush administration. Their manager said they had no plans on performing at his inauguration and explained, "If anyone does do it, I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get."

Twisted Sister

Twisted Sister's frontman previously allowed Trump to use his music before changing his mind. “When Donald started running for office, he asked me, he called me. He says, 'Can I use the song?' And he's a buddy. And I said, 'Yeah. Go ahead.' But as the months went on, I heard a litany of his beliefs that I'd never discussed with him,” Dee Snider told CNN in 2015. "I finally called him and I said, 'Man, you've gotta stop using the song. People think I'm endorsing you here. I can't get behind a lot of what you're saying.' And that night. He has not used it since.”

Aerosmith

After 'Livin' on the Edge' was played at a West Virginia rally, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler was not pleased. Aerosmith's lawyers wrote a cease and cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign claiming he “did not have our client's permission to use Dream On. They went on to say that it "gives the false impression that he is connected with or endorses Mr. Trump's presidential bid." Tyler also tweeted ab out how he won't let anyone use his music, no matter what political party they belong to.

Elton John

When reports surfaced that Elton John was going to perform at Trump's inauguration, as he's one of Trump's favorite musicians, his rep quickly denied them. In 2016, the 'Rocket Man' singer told the Guardian, “I don’t really want my music to be involved in anything to do with an American election campaign. I’m British. 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.”

Rihanna

Rihanna sent a cease-and-desist letter to Donald Trump after his team played 'Don’t Stop the Music' at a rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She found out he was using her music on Twitter and swiftly put a stop to the music.

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