Donald Trump continues his campaign trail across the United States in pursuit of becoming the Republican presidential candidate for the upcoming election. As part of his rallies, he frequently uses popular songs by various artists—often without their approval. Most recently, his use of Sinéad O’Connor’s iconic rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” sparked backlash from the late singer’s estate, demanding that Trump cease using her music.
Sinéad O’Connor’s Estate Responds
In a statement to the BBC News, representatives of O’Connor’s estate expressed their disapproval:
“It is not an exaggeration to say that Sinéad would have been upset, hurt, and insulted by the use of her music,” the statement read. Chrysalis Records, the label O’Connor worked with during her lifetime, reinforced this sentiment:
“Sinéad O’Connor lived by a fierce moral code defined by honesty, kindness, fairness, and decency towards her fellow human beings.”
The statement continued with a firm demand:
*”With indignation, we learn that Donald Trump has been using her iconic rendition of *‘Nothing Compares 2 U’* at his political rallies. As the guardians of her legacy, we demand that Donald Trump and his associates immediately stop using her music.”*
A History of Artists vs. Trump
Sinéad O’Connor’s estate joins a growing list of artists who have taken issue with Trump using their music without permission. Here are other notable cases:
- The Rolling Stones: The band sent multiple cease-and-desist letters starting in 2016 after Trump used “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”. Despite their protests, Trump played the song again in 2020, prompting threats of legal action.
- Rihanna: In 2018, Rihanna objected to the use of “Don’t Stop the Music” at Trump’s rallies, with her legal team stating she was not affiliated with or supportive of his campaign.
- Bruce Springsteen: Known for his progressive views, Springsteen also demanded Trump stop using his music, particularly his working-class anthems.
- Adele: The artist opposed the use of her hits, such as “Rolling in the Deep”, stating her work should not be politicized.
- Luciano Pavarotti: The family of the legendary tenor objected to Trump’s use of “Nessun Dorma”, highlighting Pavarotti’s values of unity and compassion.
- Elton John: John’s representatives criticized Trump for playing songs like “Rocket Man” at campaign events without consent.
- Village People: Known for “Y.M.C.A.”, the band publicly opposed the use of their music in Trump’s rallies.
These disputes highlight a broader tension between artists striving to protect the integrity of their work and politicians who use popular music to energize their campaigns.