Donald Trump faces backlash from musicians for using their songs without permission

Donald Trump has once again found himself at odds with the music industry as several high-profile artists have issued cease-and-desist orders against his campaign for using their music without permission. 

Over the years, the former president has drawn the ire of musicians ranging from Beyoncé to the Foo Fighters, who have all demanded that he stop using their songs at political events.

In August 2024 alone, Beyoncé, Foo Fighters, and Jack White expressed their dismay after discovering that Trump’s team had used their tracks in campaign materials. 

Beyoncé's team issued a cease-and-desist after Trump was seen stepping off a plane to her song "Freedom," which had already been adopted as Kamala Harris’ campaign theme. 

The Foo Fighters were similarly upset when "My Hero" was played at an event welcoming election dropout Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with the band stating they had not granted permission for the song's use and would be taking appropriate action.

This isn't the first time Trump has faced such backlash. Since his initial presidential run in 2016, a growing list of musicians has publicly condemned his unauthorized use of their work. 

Despite the controversy, Trump continues to receive support from other artists like Jason Aldean and Kid Rock. 

However, the ongoing legal challenges and public criticism from major music industry figures highlight the tension between the former president and the artistic community.