Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images/ Paul Butterfield/Getty Images
By Marni Rose McFall
Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The estate of the late artist Leonard Cohen has hit out at President Donald Trump over using his song "Hallelujah" at the Freedom 250 rally on June 24, joining a list of artists who have voiced opposition to Trump's use of their music.
Cohen died in 2016, but his estate said in a statement published on Cohen’s Instagram account, “This use is not authorized, and the Estate does not support or approve of this or any similar usage.” As of reporting, that Instagram post has amassed over 200,000 likes in less than 24 hours.
The song is one of Cohen’s most iconic and appeared on his 1984 album Various Positions. Since its release, it has been widely covered, with artists like Jeff Buckley and John Cale of The Velvet Underground putting their own spins on the track. It has also been widely featured on TV and in movies.
Read More on U.S.
...
In 2024, Rufus Wainwright’s version of "Hallelujah" was played at a Trump rally, a move Wainwright later criticized. In a press statement at the time, he described Cohen’s song as “an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of the truth.”
“I’ve been supremely honored over the years to be connected with this ode to tolerance. Witnessing Trump and his supporters commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy.”
The song was performed at the rally on Thursday by Christopher Maccio and Master Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Bennear.
Trump himself spoke at the Freedom 250 rally. Freedom 250 is the official commemoration of America’s semi-quincentennial and is set to feature a number of celebrations, including concerts.
The Freedom 250 rally has more broadly been met with opposition from artists. Six of nine original performers initially announced for the concert have withdrawn, including Martina McBride, The Commodores, Young MC and Bret Michaels. That has left a handful still scheduled: Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli are set to perform on June 26, with Flo Rida booked for July 2.
The Commodores and Martina McBride issued statements distancing themselves from political affiliations.
...
Newsweek has compiled a list of artists who have criticized the president for using their music.
1. Olivia Rodrigo – "All American B****"
The White House used Rodrigo's song in a video shared to social media in November 2025, and she responded: **“**Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
2. Neil Young — "Rockin' in the Free World"
Few artists have clashed with Trump more frequently than Neil Young. He first objected after the song was played during Trump's 2015 campaign launch and later filed a lawsuit against the campaign in 2020 before the dispute was ultimately resolved.
...
3. The Rolling Stones — "You Can't Always Get What You Want"
The band repeatedly demanded that Trump stop using its music and threatened legal action in 2020 if the campaign continued using its songs, including "You Can't Always Get What You Want."
4. ABBA — "Dancing Queen" and Others
ABBA asked the Trump campaign to stop using several of its songs, including "Dancing Queen" and "The Winner Takes It All," at a 2024 campaign event in Minnesota, saying no permission had been granted.
5. Celine Dion — "My Heart Will Go On"
After her Titanic anthem was played at a 2024 rally, Dion's representatives said the use was unauthorized and emphasized that she did not endorse the campaign.
...
6. Foo Fighters — "My Hero"
The band said it had never granted permission for "My Hero" to be played at a 2024 event where Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared alongside Trump and said any resulting royalties would be donated to former Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign.
7. Sinéad O'Connor Estate — "Nothing Compares 2 U"
O’Connor’s estate said the late singer would have been "disgusted, hurt and insulted" by the song's use at Trump rallies and demanded it stop immediately during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
8. The Smiths — "Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want"
After footage emerged of the song being used at Trump rallies in 2024, former guitarist of the Smiths, Johnny Marr, responded on social media: " Ahh…right…OK. I never in a million years would’ve thought this could come to pass,” said Marr. “Consider this s*** shut right down right now.”
9. Beyoncé — "Freedom"
Beyoncé's representatives reportedly sent a cease-and-desist after Trump campaign spokesperson, now White House Director of Communications, Steven Cheung, posted a video of Trump stepping off a plane to the song "Freedom." Harris was already using it as the theme song for her campaign.
...
10. Rihanna — "Don't Stop the Music"
Rihanna's team sent a cease-and-desist letter after the song was played at a 2018 rally, and the singer later stated that she and her representatives would not be attending Trump rallies.
11. Aerosmith — "Dream On"
Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler repeatedly objected to the use of the band's songs at Trump events and sent cease-and-desist letters in both 2015 and 2018.
12. Pharrell Williams — "Happy"
Williams challenged the use of "Happy" at a 2018 rally held shortly after the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, saying there was "nothing happy" about the circumstances and that permission had not been granted.
13. Tom Petty Estate — "I Won't Back Down"
Petty's family issued a cease-and-desist letter after the song was used at a 2020 Tulsa campaign rally, saying it should not be used for a campaign they believed left many Americans behind.
14. Isaac Hayes Estate — "Hold On, I'm Coming"
The Hayes estate pursued one of the most significant legal challenges involving Trump and music rights. A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in 2024 before the dispute was later settled.
...
Other artists who have opposed the president using their music include:
15. Adele — "Rolling in the Deep"
16. Queen — "We Are the Champions"
17. Prince Estate — "Purple Rain"
18. George Harrison Estate — "Here Comes the Sun"
19. Linkin Park — "In the End"
20. Kesha – "TikTok"
21. R.E.M. — "It's the End of the World as We Know It"
22. John Fogerty — "Fortunate Son"
23. Phil Collins — "In the Air Tonight"
24. Jack White and The White Stripes — "Seven Nation Army"
25. Guns N' Roses — "Sweet Child O' Mine"
26. Journey — "Don't Stop Believin'"
27. Brendon Urie/Panic! at the Disco — "High Hopes"
28. Earth, Wind & Fire — "September"
29. A-ha – "Take On Me"
30. Sabrina Carpenter — "Juno"
31. SZA — "Big Boy"
32. Blue Öyster Cult — "Don't Fear the Reaper"
33. Kenny Loggins — "Danger Zone"
34. Ozzy Osbourne — "Crazy Train"
35. Nickelback — "Photograph"
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines