Foo Fighters has denied allowing former President Donald Trump to use their song at a rally with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday night.
During a press conference that day, Kennedy Jr. announced that he was suspending his presidential campaign and endorsing Donald Trump. “In my heart, I no longer believe that I have a realistic path to electoral victory,” Kennedy stated. “I cannot in good conscience ask my staff and volunteers to keep working their long hours or ask my donors to continue giving when I cannot honestly tell them that I have a valid pathway to the White House.”
Later that evening, Trump invited RFK Jr. onstage during a rally in Arizona, where Kennedy joined Trump to the accompaniment of Foo Fighters’ anthem “My Hero.”
However, the rock band clarified that they had never permitted the Trump campaign to use their song, providing a simple response to X user @WUTangKids when asked if they allowed Trump to use “My Hero” to introduce RFK Jr.
“No,” responded the band, whose founder Dave Grohl has previously labeled Trump a “massive jerk.”
The band later shared a screenshot of the reply to their main account, adding, “Let us be clear.”
A spokesperson for the band told Billboard: “Foo Fighters were not asked for permission, and if they had been, they would not have granted it.” The spokesperson added that “appropriate actions are being taken” against the campaign and that any royalties resulting from the song’s use will be donated to the Harris/Walz campaign.
In contrast, the Trump campaign issued a statement to Newsweek, denying that the song was played without permission. “We have a license to play the song. The Foo Fighters or their spokesperson have no idea what they are talking about and are engaging in faux outrage,” said Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung.
Newsweek has reached out to the Foo Fighters for comment via Instagram.
This incident marks the second dispute this week—and the third this month—between Trump’s campaign and artists regarding the unauthorized use of their music.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. Trump has made headlines after allegedly using a Foo Fighters song at his rally without permission.
Rebecca Noble/Getty Images
Earlier this week, Beyoncé’s record label and music publisher sent a cease-and-desist notice to Trump’s campaign over its use of her song “Freedom” in a 13-second video posted to the X account of Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, which featured the former president stepping off a plane. The post was subsequently deleted.
Kamala Harris had already been using the song with permission for several weeks.
Trump’s History of Using ‘Unauthorized’ Music
In the meantime, other artists have taken steps to prevent Trump from using their music at his rallies as well, including Céline Dion, who recently spoke out against the use of her song “My Heart Will Go On” at a rally in Montana.
“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana,” a statement posted to Dion’s X account read.
“In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use,” the statement continued, ending with a question for the Trump campaign: “…And really, THAT song?”
Other artists, including Adele, Neil Young, the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Johnny Marr, Sinéad O’Connor, Pharrell Williams, and the estates of Tom Petty, Prince, and David Bowie have also expressed their disapproval of Trump’s use of their music at rallies.
Legal Perspective
“The unauthorized use of songs during rallies or in political campaigns is very concerning to artists, as it can be interpreted as an endorsement of a candidate and their positions,” Larry Iser, Managing Partner at KHIKS law firm, told Newsweek last week.
He added that when political campaigns use artists’ songs without permission, lawyers should send a letter to the rally organizers warning them that it is “not okay to use the songs.”
“Artists should contact Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) or the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers to have their song removed. They should also have their legal representatives send cease-and-desist letters to the political organizations, urging immediate action and informing them of the legal consequences should they fail to comply.”
“It’s also beneficial to publicize these actions on social media to increase public awareness,” he stated.
Iser indicated that artists should consider “suing the campaign for false endorsement and the right of publicity under the Lanham Act,” which aims to prevent intellectual property theft.
Update on 08/24/2024 at 09:45 E.T.: This story was updated with comments from Trump’s campaign.
Foo Fighters Denies Permission for Trump to Use ‘My Hero’ at Rally with RFK Jr.
Overview of the Incident
On Friday night, the Foo Fighters found themselves at the center of a controversy after Donald Trump invited former Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to speak at a rally in Arizona. During this event, Kennedy Jr. announced that he was suspending his presidential campaign and endorsing Trump. “In my heart, I no longer believe that I have a realistic path to electoral victory,” Kennedy stated, emphasizing the challenges he faced in the political landscape.
The Foo Fighters’ Response
The rock band responded swiftly to the usage of their song “My Hero” at the rally. When a user on X (formerly Twitter) inquired if their song was used with permission, the Foo Fighters delivered a concise reply: No.
<
They later amplified their message by sharing the exchange via their official account, clarifying, “Let us be clear.” A spokesperson for the band explained to Billboard that the Foo Fighters were not approached for permission and would not have granted it if asked, stating that “appropriate actions are being taken” in response to the campaign’s use of the song. This included plans to donate any royalties from the incident to the Harris/Walz campaign.
Trump Campaign’s Defense
In contrast to the band’s vehement denial, the Trump campaign asserted that all necessary licenses were secured for playing “My Hero” at the rally. Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung accused the Foo Fighters and their spokesman of misrepresentation, calling their outrage “faux.”
The Implications of Unauthorized Music Use
The use of music by political campaigns without the artist’s consent has sparked widespread concern and controversy in the entertainment industry. Unauthorized usage can mislead the public into believing that artists endorse specific candidates or political stances. Legal experts like Larry Iser emphasize the potential implications, noting that artists must actively protect their work from misappropriation.
Challenges for Artists
- Misrepresentation of Artist’s Opinions
- Potential Legal Consequences
- Public Relations Issues
Recent Incidents of Music Misuse
This Toronto rally incident is not an isolated case. Earlier this week, the Trump campaign faced criticism from Beyoncé’s record label for using her song “Freedom” without permission in a campaign video. Céline Dion also issued a statement regarding the unauthorized use of her hit “My Heart Will Go On” at a Montana rally.
Other Artists Take Stand Against Trump
Many prominent artists have taken similar stands against the unauthorized use of their music. Names like Adele, Neil Young, and the Beatles have voiced their objection, along with others such as Bruce Springsteen and Queen. The collective stance from the music industry highlights the growing concern over the political appropriation of songs without consent.
Benefits of Clearance and Permissions
For political campaigns, securing proper permissions to use music has several benefits:
- Reinforces Credibility: Gaining permission enhances the integrity of a campaign. It showcases respect for artists and their rights.
- Avoids Legal Issues: By obtaining proper licensing, campaigns can avoid lawsuits and legal backlash from artists and their representatives.
- Builds Positive Relationships: Respectful collaborations with artists can open doors for future partnerships and endorsements.
Legal Framework Surrounding Music Usage
The legal landscape governing music usage in political campaigns is complex. Artists have several options to protect their intellectual property:
- Cease and Desist Letters: Artists are advised to send letters to campaigns using their music without consent, urging compliance.
- Contacting Performance Rights Organizations: Engaging with organizations like Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) can help artists assert their rights and remove unauthorized music.
- Potential Lawsuits: If necessary, artists might consider suing under America’s Lanham Act for false endorsement and publicity rights violations.
Artists’ Voices: Public Response
In today’s digital age, artists are using social media platforms to voice their opposition against unauthorized music use. This public dialogue has proven effective in raising awareness and mobilizing supporters. Creatives are encouraged to leverage their platforms in similar fashions to ensure their rights are upheld.
Case Studies of Artist Reactions
| Artist | Incident | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Beyoncé | Unauthorized use of “Freedom” | Cease-and-desist notice sent |
| Céline Dion | Use of “My Heart Will Go On” at rally | Public statement against use |
| Foo Fighters | Usage of “My Hero” at Trump rally | Public denial and clarification |
Conclusion
As political tensions rise, the relationship between artists, music, and political campaigns becomes increasingly scrutinized. With bands like the Foo Fighters taking a stand, it’s clear that protecting artistic integrity continues to be paramount in the modern landscape of politics.
