The Foo Fighters’ reaction to Donald Trump using their music without permission is part of a broader trend where artists publicly address unauthorized use of their work by political figures.Trump playing the Foo Fighters’ song “My Hero” to welcome Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a rally adds an interesting layer to their political strategy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement that he dropped his presidential campaign and endorsed Donald Trump, coupled with the use of the Foo Fighters’ song at the rally, makes for a notable political moment. Trump’s statement that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will “have a huge influence on this campaign” suggests he sees Kennedy’s endorsement as a significant boost.
A spokesperson for the Foo Fighters told CBS News on Saturday that the band did not approve the Trump campaign’s use of “My Hero” and would have denied permission if asked. This statement highlights the band’s position on protecting their music from being associated with political figures or causes they don’t support.
The spokesperson’s statement that any royalties from the Trump campaign’s use of “My Hero” will be donated to the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz is a notable gesture.The Foo Fighters’ account on X (formerly Twitter) replying with a straightforward “No” and adding “Let us be clear” reinforces their position that they did not permit the use of “My Hero” for Trump’s event.
This incident adds to a series of controversies where the Trump campaign has faced criticism for using music without permission.Earlier this week, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Chueng posted a 13-second video on his X account of the former president stepping off a plane while Beyonce’s “Freedom” played in the background, Billboard reported.Following the cease-and-desist notice from Beyoncé’s record label and music producer, the Trump campaign spokesperson removed the video featuring “Freedom.
On Aug. 11, lawyers for the Issac Hayes estate threatened to sue Trump if his campaign did not stop using the late soul singer’s song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at his rallies.The letter from Isaac Hayes’ family demanding $3 million in licensing fees for the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” due to its 134 uses at Trump campaign events underscores the financial and legal stakes involved.
This is hardly the first time a musical act has shut down Trump’s use of its music on the 2024 campaign trail. Beyoncé reportedly threatened the Republican nominee’s team with the possibility of a cease-and-desist letter after campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung posted a video featuring her song “Freedom,” and the video has since been deleted. Vice President Harris has repeatedly used “Freedom” throughout her campaign, including at this week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Celine Dion’s Instagram post criticizing Trump’s use of “My Heart Will Go On” emphasizes her clear disapproval of the unauthorized use of her music. By stating, “In no way is this use authorized,” she firmly distances herself from any political endorsement. Her comment, “And really, THAT song?” adds a personal touch, expressing disbelief and strong disapproval. This public reaction highlights the importance of respecting artists’ rights and can influence public perception of both the artist and the campaign.
The Foo Fighters’ involvement in President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021 and their criticism of John McCain’s 2008 campaign for using “My Hero” illustrate their approach to managing the use of their music in political contexts.
“It’s frustrating and infuriating that someone who claims to speak for the American people would repeatedly show such little respect for creativity and intellectual property,” the band said in a statement at the time. “The saddest thing about this is that ‘My Hero’ was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song.”