ABBA are the latest music stars to request Donald Trump stop using their songs at his rallies.
After Foo Fighters, Celine Dion and Beyonce warned the former president about playing their music without prior permission, the Swedish pop icons and their labels have vented their frustration after he played ‘The Winner Takes It All’ and ‘Money, Money, Money’ at his Minnesota rally in July.
A spokesperson for the ‘Eurovision’ legends told the Stockholm outlet Svenska Dagbladet: “We, together with the members of [ABBA], have discovered that videos have been released where ABBA’s music has been used at Trump’s events and have requested that such use be immediately taken down and removed.”
They added: “Universal Music Publishing AB and Polar Music International AB have not received any request, so no permission or license has been granted to Trump.”
Trump’s representative Steven Cheung told Fox News Digital: “The campaign had a license to play ABBA music through our agreement with BMI [Broadcast Music, Inc.] and ASCAP [American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers].”
Dave Grohl and co were left disgruntled after Trump played ‘My Hero’ to introduce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to his Arizona rally last week.
A spokesperson for the US rockers said: “Foo Fighters were not asked permission and if they were, they would have not granted it.”
They also stated that royalties from the usage of the song by Trump would be donated to Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz for their bid to take charge of The White House.
Celine recently condemned Trump’s use of her ‘Titanic’ theme song ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at his Montana rally.
The Canadian singer called out the “unauthorised usage” of the video, musical performance, and “likeness” of herself that was used as part of his campaign as he continues to battle it out with Harris to be re-elected.
A statement on her official social media channels 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? (sic)”