At the August 23 event in Arizona, the Trump campaign played Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” to welcome Robert Kennedy Jr. The band and the ex-prez then released opposing comments.
The music selected for the Trump campaign’s rallies continues to draw attention and create noise, creating needless tensions.
The popular rock song “My Hero” by Foo Fighters was playing as the former president Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. concluded their Friday night rally in Arizona. Though the former presidential competitor of the ex-prez eventually embraced Trump when he withdrew from the race, the Friday stunt may have turned the music act into a Trump hater.
When user @WUTangKids investigated the matter on X, previously X, he questioned the users if they had given the Republican presidential candidate permission to play their music in Arizona. “Hey @foofighters, did you allow Trump to introduce RFK Jr. on stage using ‘My Hero’?” the user tweeted.
Hey @foofighters, did you let Trump use "My Hero" to welcome RFK Jr. on stage pic.twitter.com/HivdG8ypxM
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) August 23, 2024
Foo Fighter seemingly confirms anti-Trump stance
The user received a concise response from Foo Fighters X, “No,” even though it’s unclear who was on the other end of their official account. The band quickly tackled the matter head-on by posting a screenshot of this conversation on their social media page and a disclaimer that said, “Let us be clear.”
In addition, the ensemble released a statement that was provided to Billboard. “Foo Fighters were not asked for permission, and if they had, they would not have granted it,” a band representative stated.
Let us be clear. pic.twitter.com/gexHWjPMYh
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) August 24, 2024
“Adequate actions are being taken” against the Trump campaign, stated the statement’s author. Again criticizing the outgoing president, they said that any profits resulting from the Republican team’s relocation would go to the Harris/Walz campaign.
The band clearly expressed their political stance and support for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in one way or another. (If the group’s founder Dave Grohl’s assessment of Trump—”massive jerk”—didn’t make that obvious enough.)
During the event, Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” was performed as a welcome song for RFK Jr. Trump went onstage with him as well.
Trump campaign says it had permission to play ‘My Hero’
In contrast to the musical band’s declaration, the Trump campaign was clear about where it stands. The staff of the previous president denied using the music without authorization. “We are authorized to perform the song. Newsweek was informed by Steven Cheung, the head of communications, that “The Foo Fighters or their spokesperson have no idea what they are talking about and engaging in faux outrage.”
Other Trump-artist clashes over the same issue
Only a few weeks had passed since the Trump campaign sang Celine Dion’s famous Titanic theme song, “My Heart Will Go On,” at a rally in Montana before this political-musical conflict. In the end, the iconic singer criticized the former president for using her song in a “unauthorised” way.
The statement, which alluded to the singer’s lack of support for the Republican lawmaker, read, “Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorised 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.”
Only a few weeks have passed since the Trump campaign used Celine Dion’s classic Titanic theme song, “My Heart Will Go On,” at their rally in Montana. This political-musical confrontation has occurred.”This use is in no way authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use,” her team stated. And that tune, really?
In response, the Trump team chose Woodkid’s beloved song “Run Boy Run” for their campaign film. This was followed by the Dion song selection.
As an LGBT+ musician, I’m pleased to have composed the LGBT+ song Run Boy Run. What irony. The French artist eventually posted on X, saying, “Once again, I never gave permission for the use of my music on that @realDonaldTrump film.”
