Donald Trump’s campaign may need to reconsider its music choices, as Beyoncé has reportedly threatened to issue a cease-and-desist order due to the unauthorized use of her song “Freedom.” The music icon is clearly making her stance known in the current presidential race by taking action against Trump’s misuse of her music.
In case you missed it: The controversy erupted when the former president shared a clip featuring Beyoncé’s “Freedom”—which many recognize as the unofficial campaign anthem for Kamala Harris—on social media. The 13-second video showed Trump disembarking from a plane in Michigan, accompanied by the track. However, according to a source close to Beyoncé, Trump’s campaign did not even get permission to use it!
Touchdown in Michigan!! @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/dtyHZv2yPj
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) August 20, 2024
As of Wednesday, the video remained posted, and Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung had not commented further on the issue. Now, this isn’t the first time Trump’s campaign has faced backlash over unauthorized music usage. Earlier that month, singer Celine Dion publicly blasted him over the use of her iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” at a Trump and JD Vance rally in Montana.
Dion’s management team, along with Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., issued a statement addressing the situation,
“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana,” Dion posted.
“In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?”