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The U.S. presidential election continues, but not without its controversies. Over the course of the campaign trail, presidential candidates Kamala Harris (D) and Donald Trump (R) have been making stops all over the country, soundtracking their visits with music by artists of various generations.
While some needle drops may have sparked some viral clips and symbolic moments, others prompted cease and desist orders and lawsuits.
Over the next few months, voters look forward to hearing what music the candidates use for their campaigns — however, it appears Trump’s playlist may be a bit limited.
Since Trump’s 2016 campaign, many artists and bands have vocalized their opposition to the Republican candidate using their music. Find every artist who has denounced Trump using their music in his presidential campaign below.
ABBA
At an August 2024 rally in Minnesota, Trump used several songs by Swedish pop icons ABBA in video montages, including “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Dancing Queen.” Once ABBA learned of this, the group and its parent label, Universal Music, issued a statement requesting that videos from the rally be taken down immediately, and that Trump stop using the group’s music for his campaign.
The music group ABBA, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Benny Andersson pose for a photo after the received the Royal Vasa Order from Sweden’s King and Queen during a ceremony at Stockholm Royal Palace on May 31, 2024 for outstanding contributions to Swedish and international music life. ABBA has demanded Trump stop using the group’s music in his campaign.
HENRIK MONTGOMERY/TT/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images
Adele
Back in 2016, Trump used Adele’s hit songs “Rolling in the Deep” and “Skyfall” at rallies. A representative for Adele confirmed to the BBC that Trump did not have permission to use Adele’s music for his campaign. The singer later endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
Aerosmith
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith has twice sent Trump cease and desist letters for using the band’s music. Once in 2015, when Trump used “Dream On,” and again in 2018 when he used “Living on the Edge.”
A-ha
The “Take on Me” hitmakers aren’t afraid to take on Trump. Back in 2019, Magne Furuholmen of Ah-a expressed discomfort with Trump using the band’s music as part of a “divisive campaign.” Furuholmen would later release a politically-charged song, “This is Now America” in response to the Trump administration.
Beyoncé
Back in July 2024, Beyoncé’s team granted permission for Harris to use her 2016 Lemonade cut “Freedom” in her campaign. In August, Republican spokesperson Steven Cheung shared a clip of Trump arriving to Detroit with the same song embedded. Soon after, Beyoncé hit Trump with a cease and desist.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 01: (Editorial Use Only) Beyoncé performs onstage during the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR” at SoFi Stadium on September 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. The Queen Bey granted Kamala Harris permission to use her music for her campaign, but denied this permission to Trump.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
Bruce Springsteen
While Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” is a patriotic fan-favorite, the artist was vocal in his disdain toward Trump using the song in his rallies in 2016. Springsteen did not take legal action, but rather, expressed support for Clinton, and campaigned for her election. This didn’t stop Trump from playing the song at rallies, however, the song would be met with “boo” responses.
In 2020, Springsteen released an anti-Trump single, “That’s What Makes Us Great.”
Celine Dion
In August 2024, Trump played Dion’s universal hit “My Heart Will Go On” at a rally in Montana. Dion’s team at Sony Music Entertainment Canada issued a statement, noting that they did not authorize the use of her music, and disavowed any similar use.
Creedence Clearwater Revival
After Trump used Creedence Clearwater Revival’s song “Fortunate Son” in his 2020 campaign, the band’s lead vocalist John Fogerty issued a cease and desist order, saying that the overall message of the song doesn’t align with Trump’s campaign. Trump defied the cease and desist order, and Fogerty would later endorse Trump’s 2020 challenger, Joe Biden.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Back in 2016, Earth, Wind & Fire noted that Trump had used their signature song, “September” in his campaign without the band’s permission.
Eddy Grant
In 2020, “Electric Avenue” singer Eddy Grant got a video removed from the internet which featured the song being used in a Trump campaign on the grounds of copyright infringement. Grant would later file a lawsuit against Trump and send him a cease and desist.
Foo Fighters
After Trump used the Foo Fighters’ song “My Hero in an August 2024 rally, while introducing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the band issued a statement saying the band had not granted Trump’s campaign to use the song. They also said that any increased royalties following the use of the song would be donated to Harris’ campaign.
US musician Dave Grohl of rock band Foo Fighters performs on the Orange Stage at Roskilde Festival on July 5, 2024 in Roskilde, Denmark. Grohl is donating streaming revenue from “There Goes My Hero” to Harris’ campaign.
HELLE ARENSBAK/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
Free
Paul Rodgers of Free expressed that hadn’t sought permission to use the band’s song “All Right Now” in his 2016 campaign, and revealed that he would take legal action.
Guns N’ Roses
Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses has stated on multiple occasions that he and the band do not condone the use of their music in Trump’s campaign — Once in 2018 when Trump played “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and once in 2020 when a meatpacking plant — where Trump refused to wear a mask per COVID-19 precautions — played Guns N’ Roses’ cover of Paul McCartney and Wings song “Live and Let Die.”
Rose would later design and sell shirts with the phrase “Live N’ Let Die With COVID 45,” with proceeds going to MusicCares.
House of Pain
Rapper Everlast of the group House of Pain issued Trump a cease and desist order following his use of the song “Jump Around” in his 2016 campaign, and later called him a “scumbag.“
Johnny Marr
Earlier this year, Marr of The Smiths was surprised to learn that Trump had used the band’s song “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want.” When Marr caught wind, he took to X, saying “I never in a million years would’ve thought this could come to pass. Consider this sh*t shut right down right now.”
Linkin Park
A Trump supporter made a re-election campaign video for his 2020 campaign. Trump shared the video on his social channels, prompting the band to send a cease and desist. Prior to his death in 2017, Linkin Park’s lead vocalist Chester Bennington had called Trump a “greater threat to the USA than terrorism.“
Neil Young
Trump has used Young’s “”Rockin’ in the Free World” during his campaigns since 2015, which Young has openly opposed on several occasions. But in 2020, Young wrote Trump an open letter, which read “Every time ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ or one of my songs is played at your rallies, I hope you hear my voice. Remember it is the voice of a tax-paying U.S. citizen who does not support you. Me.”
Nico Vega
When a 2020 video for Trump’s campaign used Vega’s song, “Beast,” the indie rock three-piece put out a statement, reading “We have love and empathy for all people of all backgrounds, races and beliefs, and we feel sick how all Americans’ fears and vulnerabilities have been exploited over the last four years, We will not participate in a form of propaganda that pits Americans against one another.”
The O’Jays
Walter Williams of The O’Jays expressed his disapproval toward Trump using the group’s song “Love Train” in his 2016 campaign, noting that the group’s music strays opposite of what Trump stands for. “Our music is about bringing people together, not building walls,” said Williams in a statement.
Ozzy Osbourne
Both Ozzy and his wife, Sharon, slammed the use of Ozzy’s song, “Crazy Train” back in 2019, when Trump was beginning to campaign for reelection. The two issued a joint statement, which read “[W]e are sending notice to the Trump campaign (or any other campaigns) that they are forbidden from using any of Ozzy Osbourne’s music in political ads or in any political campaigns.”
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco lead vocalist Brendon Urie issued an f-bomb-laced statement to Trump after he had used the song “High Hopes” at rallies in 2020. “Donald Trump represents nothing we stand for…Dear Trump Campaign, F*ck you,” read the statement. “You’re not invited. Stop playing my song. No thanks, Brendon Urie, Panic! At The Disco & company”.
Pharrell Williams
While the song “Happy” may be inescapable, the one place Williams does not want it played is a Trump rally. In 2018, Trump played the song at multiple rallies, prompting Williams to issue a statement and not given Trump permission, nor authorized the use of the song.
R.E.M.
Since 2015, R.E.M. has ardently opposed Trump’s use of the band’s music in his campaigns. After Trump used the song “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” at a rally, member Michael Stipe issued a statement warning him “Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign.” Trump would continue to use songs like “Everybody Hurts” and “Losing My Religion” in his rallies through 2020, which resulted in bassist Mike Mills threatening legal action.
Rihanna
In 2018, Trump used Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop The Music” at a few rallies. Her legal team later sent a cease and desist, noting that Rihanna is not affiliated with Trump, nor has she ever supported him or his campaign.
The Rolling Stones
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones have sent Trump cease and desist orders twice. Once in 2016 and once in 2020, when Trump had used the Stones’ classic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” in his campaigns. They have since threatened legal action should Trump use the song again.
RIDGEDALE, MISSOURI – JULY 21: Mick Jagger (L) and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones performs during the final night of the Hackney Diamonds ’24 Tour at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena on July 21, 2024 in Ridgedale, Missouri. Looks like Trump can’t actually get what he wants this campaign season.
Gary Miller/Getty Images
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister initially granted Trump permission to use their song “We’re Not Going To Take It” in 2014. But in 2015, the band’s vocalist Dee Snider revoked permission due to Trump’s extremist positions.
Village People
In July 2020, Village People vocalist Victor Willis asked Trump to stop using the songs “YMCA” and “Macho Man” at his events. Trump continued to use the song, and Willis, along with the group’s label Scorpio Music, has threatened legal action.
The White Stripes
When Trump used The White Stripes’ signature song “Seven Nation Army” in an ad for his 2016 campaign, the band’s vocalist Jack White, and his former wife and drummer, Meg White issued a statement, saying they did not grant Trump permission to use the song, nor do they support his campaign. They would release merchandise related to their 2007 album Icky Thump shortly after, with the title changed to Icky Trump, and lyrics reworded slamming Trump’s ideologies.