Foo Fighters to Donate to Kamala Harris Following Trump’s Use of ‘My Hero’

The Foo Fighters are taking a stand against the unauthorized use of their music. A representative for the rock band confirmed on Sunday that the Donald Trump campaign did not seek permission to play their song “My Hero” during a rally held on Friday in Glendale, Arizona, featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Furthermore, if the campaign had requested approval, the band would have denied it.

The representative clarified that any royalties generated from the song’s use at the rally would be donated to Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. This move highlights the band’s stance on political associations they do not support.

In response to inquiries from USA TODAY, the Trump campaign claimed they possessed the proper licensing to play the song. However, the conflict over permission has escalated, with the Foo Fighters openly disputing the campaign’s assertions. The song was played as Trump introduced Kennedy, who announced his decision to suspend his own presidential campaign and back the Republican nominee.

During the rally, “My Hero” echoed through the venue as Kennedy took the stage, greeting attendees and shaking hands with Trump. The usage of the song at such a politically charged event drew swift condemnation from the band.

When questioned on the social media platform X about whether they had approved the song’s use, the Foo Fighters replied with a firm “No.” They subsequently shared a screenshot of this response for added clarity, emphasizing their disapproval.

The Foo Fighters are not alone in expressing dissatisfaction with the Trump campaign’s use of artists’ songs without consent. Earlier this month, Celine Dion’s team also responded to unauthorized usage of her iconic song “My Heart Will Go On,” which was played during a Trump rally in Montana. Dion’s representative stated unequivocally that the track’s use was not authorized and that the singer does not endorse such actions.

Additionally, the family of musician Isaac Hayes made headlines in August by threatening legal action against Trump for using his song “Hold On, I’m Comin'” at various rallies. Hayes’ son voiced his frustration, asserting that Trump’s behavior epitomizes a severe lack of integrity, and he condemned the former president’s history of harmful rhetoric and actions.

Dave Grohl, the founder of Foo Fighters, has been vocal in his criticism of Trump in the past. In 2018, he expressed his disdain for the former president, describing him as a “massive jerk.” This sentiment underscores the band’s commitment to distancing themselves from the former president and the policies he represents.

The tension between artists and political campaigns over music usage continues to grow. Musicians often face challenges when their work is co-opted for political purposes, especially when those involved do not align with the artist’s values or message.

The Foo Fighters’ response to this latest incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate regarding artistic rights and the ethical implications of utilizing music in political contexts. As the public increasingly takes notice of these affiliations, artists may need to assert their rights more vigorously.

The situation also triggers important conversations around the licensing of music for political events and how such uses are often met with resistance from the artists themselves. While the Trump campaign maintains they have the legal ground to play certain songs, the outcry from artists demonstrates the complexity of these relationships and the need for clearer guidelines in the future.

As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how the musical landscape will adapt to political influences and how artists will choose to navigate their personal connections to music in public spheres. The Foo Fighters’ proactive stance is likely to inspire others to speak out against unauthorized music usage and protect their artistic integrity.

Source: USA TODAY