Trump mocked for ‘ironic’ Celine Dion song at Montana rally

Donald Trump is drawing criticism for the “ironic” use of Celine Dion’s Oscar-winning song from Titanic at his recent rally.

Before the presidential candidate appeared on stage in Bozeman, Montana, on Friday (9 August), his supporters watched a clip of Dion singing her 1997 track “My Heart Will Go On” projected on a large screen.

It’s unclear whether Trump sought permission from Dion, who recently performed at the Olympics opening ceremony, which Trump later criticized. The Independent has reached out to representatives of Dion and Disney, which now owns 20th Century Fox, the studio that distributed Titanic, for comment.

Dion had refused to perform at Trump’s inauguration when he was elected president in 2016.

The decision to use the song has been widely mocked on social media. Many are pointing out the irony that the song is from a film about a sinking ship, especially given that it was used just days after Kamala Harris appeared to be gaining a lead over Trump in the presidential election polls for the first time.

In a new survey, the Democrat took a three-point lead over Trump. The song’s use came a day after the former president held a press conference widely condemned for false claims.

“Wait, did Celine Dion give Trump permission to use her Titanic song? It is rather fitting since his campaign is sinking,” one person wrote on X/Twitter. Another commented: “This is so on the nose to what’s happening with his campaign, the cognitive dissonance is astounding.”

Another user added: “I can’t help but laugh. It perfectly fits the analogy that the Trump campaign is a sinking ship.”

Trump has used “My Heart Will Go On” at his rallies before, including in November 2020, shortly before losing the election to Joe Biden.

His campaign has also used songs without obtaining rights in the past. In January 2020, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr reacted with disbelief to footage of the band’s 1984 song “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” being played at a Trump rally.

In July 2020, the family of the late Tom Petty issued a statement objecting to Trump’s use of the song “I Won’t Back Down” in his campaign.

Trump played the hit 1989 song at his rally in Tulsa, but Petty’s estate claimed he was not authorized to use it. In a statement, the family said Trump’s campaign “leaves too many Americans and common sense behind.”

“Both the late Tom Petty and his family firmly stand against racism and discrimination of any kind,” they continued. “Tom Petty would never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate. He liked to bring people together.”

The following month, Neil Young sued Trump for copyright infringement over the use of two of his songs in what the artist called a “campaign of ignorance and hate.”

Source: The Independent