Foo Fighters has made it clear that they did not give former President Donald Trump permission to use their hit song “My Hero” at a recent rally featuring Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
During a press event on Friday, RFK Jr. announced the suspension of his presidential campaign and threw his support behind Trump. He stated, “In my heart, I no longer believe that I have a realistic path to electoral victory,” expressing concerns about the commitment of his team amidst dwindling chances for success.
Later that evening, Trump and Kennedy shared the stage in Arizona as “My Hero” played in the background. However, Foo Fighters promptly denied any association with the event, responding with a simple “No” to an inquiry on X from user @WUTangKids about the song’s usage.
Following their initial statement, the band reiterated their disapproval by sharing the response on their main account, adding, “Let us be clear.” A band spokesperson elaborated to Billboard, clarifying that they were not asked for permission and that, had they been, it would have been denied. They also mentioned plans to donate any royalties resulting from this unauthorized use to the Harris/Walz campaign.
This incident is not isolated; it’s the second occurrence in a week where Trump’s campaign has faced backlash over unauthorized music use. Earlier, Beyoncé’s team issued a cease-and-desist for the use of her song “Freedom” in a video linked to Trump, which was later removed. Additionally, Isaac Hayes’ estate has filed copyright infringement claims against the campaign for using “Hold On, I’m Coming” at various rallies without consent.
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Trump’s Music Controversies
Other artists have also actively protested the use of their music by Trump at rallies. Céline Dion recently condemned the unauthorized use of “My Heart Will Go On” at a campaign event, stating, “In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this.” Many other musicians, including Adele, Neil Young, and the estates of famous artists like Tom Petty and Prince, have also expressed their disapproval.
Legal Perspectives
Experts suggest that artists should take action when their music is used without authorization, including sending letters to event organizers and filing cease-and-desist notices to political groups. There’s also potential for legal action under the Lanham Act, which protects against unauthorized use of an artist’s identity.
While the Trump campaign may claim coverage under licensing agreements with organizations like ASCAP and BMI, the ongoing disputes suggest that many artists are ready to defend their rights fiercely.