Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Beyoncé has reportedly joined the list of celebrities unhappy with former President Donald Trump for using her music in his campaign. According to Billboard, her record label and publisher sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign after her song “Freedom” was featured in a social media video with Trump.
In the video shared on X by Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung, the song played as Trump was shown disembarking from a plane. Following the release of the news about the cease-and-desist letter, The Guardian reported that the video was promptly removed.
This incident follows a previous situation where Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign had used the same song at events and in a new a cappella version during the DNC, with Beyoncé’s permission.
According to CNN, a source close to Kamala Harris’ team stated that they requested permission to use the song from Beyoncé’s 2016 album Lemonade.
The “Single Ladies” singer is the most recent artist to express frustration with Donald Trump for using their music during his campaign. On August 11, the family of the late singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes filed a lawsuit against the Trump campaign, alleging unauthorized use of one of Hayes’ songs at campaign rallies from 2022 to 2024.
The family of Isaac Hayes is seeking at least $3 million in licensing fees from Donald Trump and his campaign for the unauthorized use of the song “Hold On, I’m Coming,” which Hayes co-wrote with David Portner in 1966 for Sam & Dave. The Hollywood Reporter has reported that this claim is part of a lawsuit related to its use at Trump’s rallies.
Earlier this month, Celine Dion’s management and record label issued a statement regarding the use of her song “My Heart Will Go On” from the Titanic soundtrack. The song was played at a Trump-JD Vance rally in Bozeman, as previously reported.
The statement from Celine Dion’s management and Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. addressed the unauthorized use of her song “My Heart Will Go On” at a Donald Trump/JD Vance rally in Montana. It read:
“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump/JD Vance campaign rally in Montana. In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?”
Other artists who have expressed displeasure over Trump using their music include the Rolling Stones, Rihanna, and Axl Rose, as noted by The Hollywood Reporter.
