Foo Fighters criticized after falsely claiming Trump used ‘My Hero’ without permission

The band faces backlash for claiming the Trump campaign used their song without permission during a rally with RFK Jr.

The Foo Fighters have come under scrutiny for claiming that Donald Trump’s campaign used their song 'My Hero' without permission at a rally featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in Glendale, Arizona.

The band’s representative told multiple outlets that the campaign did not request permission to use the 1997 hit and asserted, "If they had, the band would have denied the request." The representative further mentioned that any royalties earned from the song's use would be donated to Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, adding, "The band stands firmly against the unauthorized use of their music in any political context."

🚨 NEW: The Foo Fighters LIED about Trump not having permission to use “My Hero” while introducing RFK Jr

Trump should SUE these leftist hacks for defamation.

The Trump campaign actually DID license the song through BMI’s Songview service, as confirmed by documents provided to… pic.twitter.com/GmhxGwn7q0

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 25, 2024

However, the Trump campaign pushed back against these assertions, with spokesperson Steven Cheung telling The Independent, "We have a license to play the song," and claiming they had legally licensed the song through BMI's Songview service. Cheung also went on X, formerly Twitter, calling Foo Fighters "a Pretender."

It’s Times Like These facts matter, don’t be a Pretender. @foofighters https://t.co/yutdFMKH2X pic.twitter.com/l6d6BSnDw2

— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) August 25, 2024

Documents reviewed by The Independent appear to confirm this claim. Despite the Trump campaign’s documentation, Foo Fighters reiterated to The Independent, "We did not grant permission, and appropriate actions are being taken against the campaign." 

Hey @foofighters

Why you lying?

Just for that I'm going to cover everlong https://t.co/BMC5Ix32oH pic.twitter.com/DvjMSMCYY7

— Tim Pool (@Timcast) August 25, 2024

The controversy has sparked a backlash on social media, with some accusing the band of misleading the public.

The only time I will be listening to Dave Grohl & the Foo Fighters is when Trump plays ‘There goes my hero’, which by the way, he legally purchased from BMI’s Songview service.

Who won’t be listening/buying anything from Dave Grohl & the Foo Fighters & they can go pound sand? 🙋‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/uYklUglnbw

— 👉M-Û-R-Č-H👈 (@TheEXECUTlONER_) August 25, 2024