Beyoncé has allegedly warned former President Donald Trump with a cease-and-desist order.
Per Rolling Stone, an insider revealed that the Trump campaign did not get authorization to use Beyoncé’s song ‘Freedom’ from her Lemonade album in a social media video.
The song appeared in a 13-second clip of Trump disembarking from a plane in Michigan, which campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung posted on Twitter on Tuesday (August 20).
Despite the cease-and-desist from the artist’s label, the video remains on Twitter as of now.
Interestingly, Kamala Harris’ campaign has been using Beyoncé’s ‘Freedom’ extensively with the artist’s consent.
Earlier this summer, the song was played as Harris approached a podium during her first public appearance after receiving Joe Biden’s endorsement.
Her campaign later released an official launch video featuring the song.
On Monday (August 19), the Harris/Walz campaign debuted a new ad featuring ‘Freedom’ with narration by actor Jeffrey Wright.
This incident is not Trump’s first controversy over unauthorized music use.
Earlier this summer, he played Celine Dion’s ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Montana campaign rally, accompanied by a video of Dion performing the song.
The song was seemingly used without Dion’s consent, prompting her team to publicly request that Trump stop using her music.
A statement from Dion’s management and Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. read: “Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc, became aware of the unauthorized 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.”
“In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use.”
“… And really, THAT song?”
The Trump campaign has not yet commented on the alleged cease-and-desist.
This story is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available.