Foo Fighters clarify they did not approve Trump using “My Hero” at rally

Former President Donald Trump has faced backlash once again for the unauthorized use of music. This time, the rock band Foo Fighters is expressing their displeasure following the use of their song “My Hero” at a recent rally in Arizona.

During the event, Trump welcomed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former independent candidate who had just announced he would endorse Trump after dropping out of the presidential race. Trump praised Kennedy, suggesting that he would have a significant impact on the campaign.

Despite the apparent alignment between Kennedy and Trump, the Foo Fighters are not on board. A spokesperson for the band made it clear that they had not granted permission for the use of their song. “Foo Fighters were not asked permission and if they were, they would have not granted it,” the spokesperson stated emphatically.

Furthermore, the spokesperson confirmed that any royalties generated from the unauthorized use of “My Hero” would be donated to Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s campaigns. This response illustrates a clear stance from the band against the Trump campaign’s actions.

The Foo Fighters took their disapproval a step further by responding directly on social media. When questioned about whether they had allowed Trump to use their song for welcoming Kennedy, their official account on X (formerly Twitter) simply replied, “No,” before reiterating their position with the phrase, “Let us be clear.”

This incident is not the first time the Trump campaign has faced criticism for using music without proper authorization. Recently, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung shared a video on his X account that featured Beyoncé’s “Freedom” playing in the background as Trump stepped off a plane. Following this, the singer’s record label promptly issued a cease-and-desist notice, and Cheung subsequently removed the video from his account.

In another situation from August 11, the estate of the late soul singer Isaac Hayes threatened legal action against Trump for using his song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at campaign events. Hayes’ family is demanding $3 million in licensing fees for what they claim is 134 unauthorized plays of the song over the past two years.

Additionally, representatives for the renowned Canadian artist Celine Dion have voiced concern over the campaign’s use of her iconic 1997 ballad “My Heart Will Go On.” They pointed out that the usage was unauthorized and had occurred without her permission. The representatives even cheekily queried in their statement, “And really, THAT song?” suggesting that they were not pleased with the campaign’s choice.

The series of incidents highlights an ongoing pattern of the Trump campaign using popular songs without the necessary permissions from artists and their estates. As these musicians continue to assert their rights, the Trump campaign may find itself facing more challenges as they navigate the political landscape amid mounting opposition from the entertainment industry.

Ultimately, the backlash from the Foo Fighters and other artists serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting intellectual property rights, especially in the politically charged atmosphere surrounding election campaigns.