Musicians Object to Trump Using Their Songs

NEW YORK – Following a recent Trump campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana, where Celine Dion’s iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” was played, the singer’s team quickly expressed their disapproval. Dion is among a growing list of artists who have voiced objections to the use of their music by the Trump campaign, a trend that has intensified since the 2020 election. Notable figures such as David Porter, co-writer of Sam and Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Coming,” have publicly condemned the campaign's use of their songs. Porter reacted strongly in 2022 after the song was played at an NRA rally, stating, “Hell to the NO!” Recently, the son of the late Isaac Hayes announced potential legal action against Trump for 134 counts of copyright infringement related to the unauthorized use of “Hold On, I’m Coming” at various rallies. Legally, artists have limited options to prevent their music from being used in political campaigns, as campaigns are not required to negotiate individual licenses for each song. However, artists can issue cease-and-desist letters, a tactic employed by Pharrell Williams and John Fogerty in response to the Trump campaign's use of their music. While lawsuits are rare, Neil Young and Eddy Grant have taken legal action against the campaign for similar grievances, highlighting the ongoing tension between artists and political entities over music rights.