Trump Campaign Deletes Video Featuring Harris’s Anthem After Cease-and-Desist

Donald Trump’s campaign has removed a video that featured Kamala Harris’s campaign anthem, Freedom, following a cease-and-desist letter from Beyoncé. The video initially showcased Trump arriving in Michigan, set to the backdrop of Beyoncé’s popular song from her album Lemonade.

Spokesperson for the Trump campaign, Steven Cheung, shared the post on social media, but it has since been taken down.

A representative for Beyoncé indicated that no permission had been granted for the use of the song. Freedom was recently adopted by Harris, who is leading the Democratic party’s ticket.

Beyoncé had earlier extended permission to the Harris campaign to use her song through to the November election, according to reports by CNN.

Following the video’s release, Beyoncé’s fans quickly expressed their outrage at Trump’s campaign for appropriating the theme of the Democratic presidential rival.

One critic pointed out, “Freedom is a song written about slavery and police brutality against POC. How disgusting and despicable for any of you to use it to support that convicted felon.”

Another fan stated, “I know she didn’t green light this nonsense… I can’t wait until her legal team finds you.”

Another voice in the backlash emphasized, “You must be kidding, using the @Beyonce song of the Kamala campaign!? Stealing everything has consequences.”

Despite her public support for Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election, Beyoncé has not formally endorsed either Harris or any other candidate in the current election cycle. However, it’s worth noting that Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, received tickets to Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in Maryland as a gift from the artist last year.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, rumors are circulating that Beyoncé might perform at the Democratic National Convention’s closing night. Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison remained coy when asked about the speculation during an interview on CBS Mornings earlier this week. He cryptically remarked, “Every day, she’s in here singing Freedom… well, at least we hear it across the intercom.”

The incident positions Beyoncé alongside other artists who have taken a stand against Trump’s use of their music, including Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, and Adele, all of whom have sent cease-and-desist orders. Other notable artists such as Celine Dion and the Rolling Stones have also spoken against the unauthorized use of their songs by Trump.

Just last week, the estate of the late Isaac Hayes filed a lawsuit against Trump and his campaign for allegedly using Hayes’s song Hold On, I’m Coming without permission in various campaign videos. The legal team for the Hayes estate claims that Trump owes $150,000 for each unauthorized use, with allegations that the campaign has used the track over 100 times.

Freedom is often viewed as an anthem of empowerment for African Americans and a symbol of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Academic Omise’eke Tinsley, author of Beyonce in Formation: Remixing Black Feminism, has noted how Beyoncé’s performance of Freedom at Coachella blended into a rendition of “Lift Every Voice,” often referred to as the Black national anthem. In the wake of George Floyd’s death, the song gained recognition as a source of hope and uplift.

Trump’s decision to appropriate the song comes despite his allegations that Harris has mimicked his policies. Speaking at a rally in Asheville, North Carolina, he suggested that her economic plan would likely mirror his, adding, “because basically that’s what she does.”