Following President Joe Biden's endorsement of Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, Beyoncé approved the use of her song 'Freedom' as Harris' official campaign song. However, the Republican nominee's campaign recently used the same song in a social media video featuring former President Donald Trump, sparking controversy.
Various artists, including Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, and Prince's estate, have objected to the Trump campaign's use of their music in the past. Legal experts suggest that musicians may have legal grounds to take action if their music is used inappropriately.
Although Beyoncé's representatives did not comment on the matter, Rolling Stone reported that her label threatened to send a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign for using 'Freedom' in the video. The video was subsequently taken down after the legal threat.
In response, Trump's campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, stated that the use of 'Freedom' was intended to provoke the opposing party and highlight their stance on freedom. Cheung's statement implied that the Democrats' reaction to the song played into their narrative.
Licensing music for commercial use, including political campaigns, is a complex and costly process. Movie studios often pay significant sums to secure rights to songs, while brands can spend millions on music for commercials. Political campaigns are no exception to these legal and financial considerations.
