On Monday, Donald Trump a Town Hall Q&A During the listening session, the former president rocked the stage for over 30 minutes to some of his favorite songs. Tunes include Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” which was covered by singer Rufus Wainwright in the movie “Shrek.”
Now, Wainwright and Cohen’s estate are taking issue with Trump’s use of the song with the famous singer. to write On social media, “To see Trump and his supporters speak to this music last night is the height of blasphemy.”
The publishing company for Cohen’s estate has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign, Wainwright said. Cohen, who died in 2016 at the age of 82, originally released the song in 1984, and several musicians have since covered it, including Wainwright and the late Jeff Buckley.
Representatives for the Trump campaign and Wainwright and Cohen’s estate did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The fight over “Hallelujah” marks the latest clash between musicians and the Trump campaign. Celine Dion to do the queen. Some artists have said they resist having their music come across any kind of political event, while others, like Wainwright, have focused more on connecting their music to Trump.
“Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ has become an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of truth,” Wainwright wrote Tuesday.
He added that he was “dismayed” that the song was played at a Trump event, adding, “The good in me is hoping that Cohen’s masterpiece, Donald Trump’s lyrics, can be experienced as a regret in inhabiting and actually hearing them. What he did.”
Wainwright also said he would support Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race.
Trump played several recordings after two attendees needed medical attention at a town hall event in Oaks, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles outside Philadelphia. Those songs include James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” Elvis Presley’s “An American Trilogy” and the late Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 You.”
Musicians protesting Trump’s use of their music
Wainwright joins a number of musicians who have asked the Trump campaign to stop using their songs. Some of those artists include:
- Celine Dion, its representatives in August told Trump His 1990s song “My Heart Will Go On” was “uncredited” and did not have his permission.
- Foo Fighters at an Arizona rally in August for former independent candidate Robert F. Trump resisted playing the band’s “My Hero” when he welcomed Kennedy Jr. to the stage. Foo Fighters they said Permission not granted For the use of the song, any royalties received as a result of the Trump campaign’s use of the song will be donated to Harris’ campaign.
- Isaac Hayes, a federal judge in Atlanta, ruled last month that Trump and his campaign We need to stop using the “Hold on, I’m Coming” song The family of one of the song’s co-writers Proceeding a case against the former President regarding its use.
- The White Stripes, who in September Sued Trump The case is accused of using their hit song “Seven Nation Army” without permission in a video posted on social media.
