Hollywood stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have issued a blistering statement via their production company after former US president Donald Trump used audio from their most recent film, Air, in a campaign video.
Affleck and Damon recently teamed up to tell the true story of how basketball great Michael Jordan was signed to Nike in the movie, Air.
In the film, Damon portrays Sonny Vaccaro, Nike’s basketball scout, who becomes determined to secure 1984’s third overall draft pick, Jordan to be the spokesperson for their basketball shoes.
The movie features an incredible monologue delivered by Damon as Vaccaro.
“Money can buy you almost anything, it can’t buy you immortality that you have to earn. I’m gonna look you in the eyes, and I’m gonna tell you the future,” Damon says in the film.
“It’s an American story and that’s why Americans are going to love it. People are going to build you up – god, are they going to. Because when you’re great and new, we love you. Man we’ll build you into something that doesn’t even exist.
You’re gonna change the f**king world. But you know what? Once they’ve built you as high as they possibly can, they’re gonna tear you back down.”
Tweet from @AlexThomp
Over the weekend, Donald Trump released a video with the monologue from that movie playing over a montage of pictures of the former president.
Mr Trump ‘ReTruthed’, or re-shared the video on his own social media platform, Truth Social.
Since sharing the video, Damon and Affleck have responded, saying they do not consent to Trump using the audio from the film.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon respond to Trump’s video
Air was produced by Affleck and Damon’s own production company, Artists Equity. Alex Convery wrote the script, while Affleck directed and starred in Air as Phil Knight, the co-founder of Nike.
In a statement, Artists Equity condemned the use of the monologue, saying it not approve of anything from Air being used for Mr Trump’s campaign.
“We had no foreknowledge of, did not consent to and do not endorse or approve any footage or audio from Air being repurposed by the Trump campaign as a political advertisement or for any other use,” the statement shared to social media says.
“Specifically in terms of any and all rights available to us under US copyright and intellectual property law, we hereby, expressly give notice that in the case of any use of material from Air by the Trump campaign where approval or consent is required, we do not grant such consent.”
Tweet from @artists_equity
Convery wrote the script for the movie and he showed his support for the statement shared by Artists Equity by retweeting it on social media.
Both Affleck and Damon have supported the Democratic party and politicians.
In 2012, the pair along with John Krasinski raised money for Elizabeth Warren’s Senate run and both Affleck and Damon supported Hillary Clinton when she was up against Trump in 2016.
Affleck and Damon aren’t the only famous faces who have expressed dismay at the former president using their work.
Neil Young sued Trump for using his songs, Rockin’ in the Free World and Devil’s Sidewalk, numerous times at rallies and political events a few years back.
However, Young dropped the complaint in December 2020. The Rolling Stones also warned the former president they would take legal action if he continued to use their songs at campaign rallies.
Rihanna also sent Trump a cease and desist letter after he used her music at one of his raalies.
Tweet from @rihanna
