Trump's Rallies Rock to Tracks Despite Artist Rebuke

The Village People's "YMCA" blares at Trump rallies, but other artists are less willing, with some condemning Trump's use of their music.

Issac Hayes Estate Threatens to Sue

“Donald Trump epitomizes a lack of integrity and class, not only through his continuous use of my father's music without permission but also through his history of sexual abuse against women and his racist rhetoric.
— Isaac Hayes III, per Instagram

Isaac Hayes III, son of singer Isaac Hayes, shared a copyright infringement notice, demanding Trump's campaign pay $3 million in licensing fees for using Sam & Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin," co-written by his father.

Music Copyright Laws

According to the U.S. Copyright Office, there are three legal ways to use a musical work:

• Use music in the public domain.
• Get permission/license directly from the copyright holder.
• Rely on fair use or statutory limitations.

Failure to obtain rights gives the copyright holder the "right to pursue legal action."

Artists Against Trump:

• Celine Dion - "My Heart Will Go On"
• Sinead O'Connor's estate - "Nothing Compares 2 U"
• Prince's estate - "Purple Rain"
• Tom Petty's family - "I Won't Back Down"
• The Smiths' Johnny Marr - "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want"
• Linkin Park - "In the End"
• John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival) - "Fortunate Son"
• Neil Young - “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk”
• Pharrell Williams - "Happy"
• Aerosmith's Steven Tyler - “Livin’ on the Edge”
• The Rolling Stones - "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
• Phil Collins - "In the Air Tonight"
• Panic! At The Disco's Brendon Urie - "High Hopes"
• Rihanna - "Don't Stop the Music"
• Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose - "Sweet Child O' Mine"
• R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe & Mike Mills - “Everybody Hurts” and “Losing My Religion”
• Elton John - "Rocket Man" and "Tiny Dancer"

These artists have all sent cease-and-desist letters, issued public statements, or pursued legal action against Trump.

Trump-Endorsing Artists:

Lee Greenwood ("God Bless the USA") and Kid Rock ("All Summer Long")

Reference Links:

• Isaac Hayes III Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CH6nxMvlO0G/?hl=en
• U.S. Copyright Office: https://www.copyright.gov/engage/musicians/
• Public domain info: https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ56.pdf
• Music Modernization Act: https://www.copyright.gov/music-modernization/faq.html#:~:text=The%20Music%20Modernization%20Act%20updates,addresses%20distribution%20of%20producer%20royalties.
• Fair use: https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/#:~:text=See%2037%20C.F.R.,a%20question%20of%20fair%20use:)
• Section 115 license: https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ73.pdf
• Celine Dion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHsXPHEhzzl/
• Sinead O'Connor Estate Statement: https://deadline.com/2023/03/sinead-oconnor-estate-donald-trump-nothing-compares-2-u-use-rnc-speech-1204843765/
• Prince Twitter: https://x.com/prince/status/1182484599781416960
• Tom Petty Twitter: https://x.com/tompetty/status/1274527971513004033
• Johnny Marr Twitter: https://x.com/johnnymarr/status/1567654216045190145
• Linkin Park Twitter: https://x.com/linkinpark/status/1284685829575565312
• John Fogerty Twitter: https://twitter.com/John_Fogerty/status/1313635377513369601
• Neil Young Archives: https://neilyoungarchives.com/news/5
• Aerosmith letter via CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/09/politics/steven-tyler-donald-trump-aerosmith-song/index.html
• Rolling Stones via Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyle/rolling-stones-working-with-bmi-to-stop-trumps-use-of-you-cant-always-get-wha-idUSKBN23Z0GJ/
• Phil Collins via Billboard: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/phil-collins-donald-trump-cease-desist-order-in-the-air-tonight-9466857/
• Brendon Urie Twitter: https://x.com/brendonurie/status/1275624554514329600?s=20
• Rihanna Twitter: https://twitter.com/rihanna/status/1063599154952851456
• Axl Rose Twitter: https://twitter.com/AxlRose/status/1066417748245266432
• Mike Mills Twitter: https://x.com/m_millsey/status/1217521410240851968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1217521410240851968%7Ctwgr%5E4987b43a2cf528313d274af5d48863f933ff77b9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2020%2F01%2F16%2Fpolitics%2Fr-e-m-trump-rally-trnd%2Findex.html
• Michael Stipe via CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/16/politics/r-e-m-trump-rally-trnd/index.html
• Elton John via Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/07/elton-john-i-really-hate-the-cult-of-celebrity