Rock icons from Foo Fighters denounced the unauthorized use of their song “My Hero” at a Donald Trump rally on Friday, August 23.
A spokesperson told Billboard about the unauthorized use:
“Foo Fighters were not asked permission, and if they were, they would not have granted it.” Furthermore, “appropriate actions are being taken” against the campaign, the spokesperson continues, and any royalties received as a result of this use will be donated to the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz campaign.
In recent years, many musicians have fought publicly against the GOP’s co-opting of their songs and their respective messages.
AEROSMITH, Neil Young, THE BEATLES, Bruce Springsteen, QUEEN, Elton John, THE ROLLING STONES, as well as the estates of Tom Petty, Prince and David Bowie have all objected to Trump‘s use of their music at rallies.
Earlier this week, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung posted a 13-second video on his X account of footage of Trump stepping off a plane as Beyoncé‘s “Freedom” played. A day later, Rolling Stone reported that Beyoncé‘s team threatened to send a cease-and-desist to the Trump campaign over the use of the song, which it reportedly did not receive permission for.
Hey @foofighters, did you let Trump use "My Hero" to welcome RFK Jr. on stage pic.twitter.com/HivdG8ypxM
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) August 23, 2024