*In a move that has quite frankly pissed off a lot of people, Donald Trump‘s campaign released a video featuring the former president deboarding his plane to the tune of Beyoncé‘s “Freedom,” just days after accusing Kamala Harris of copying him regarding not taxing tips. Harris, however, has been using the song with permission from Beyoncé, adding an intriguing twist to the political spectacle.
Beyoncé permitted Harris to use “Freedom” from her critically acclaimed 2016 album, “Lemonade,” at the end of last month. Harris’ campaign has since prominently featured the song in various campaign activities, including her dramatic entrance at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday night. The anthem, which includes powerful verses by rapper Kendrick Lamar, gained renewed prominence following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020, the DailyBeast reports.
The song deals with themes of slavery and police brutality, with Beyoncé singing about breaking chains and Lamar rapping about police chases and breaking oppressive systems. Contrastingly, Trump’s campaign has had a tumultuous relationship with campaign music, often finding itself at odds with artists and facing legal challenges.
Just last week, the family of singer-songwriter Isaac Hayes initiated legal action against Trump and his campaign for using Hayes’ iconic “Hold On, I’m Coming” in rallies and campaign videos. The lawsuit, filed in a Georgia federal court, seeks licensing fees and a clear disclaimer stating that the Hayes estate does not endorse Trump. Hayes’ family demands $150,000 for each use of the song and an unequivocal statement of non-endorsement.
This recent incident involving “Freedom” only adds to Trump’s history of disputes over unauthorized song usage. He has previously faced ire and legal threats from notable artists such as Adele, Rihanna, Neil Young, and the Rolling Stones for similar reasons. By using Beyoncé’s song, Trump appears to be both contradicting his critique of Harris and risking further legal troubles.
Touchdown in Michigan!! @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/dtyHZv2yPj
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) August 20, 2024
The reaction on social media was swift and through platforms like X, users pointed out the irony of Trump’s actions. User Anna Maltese quipped, “Oh, look, you’re trying to copy Kamala Harris, that’s cute! Of course, Beyoncé might feel differently.”
Meanwhile, user, Badd Company, predicted, “And now you will be sued, again, for Copyright Infringement. You, folks, are destroying yourselves, good job!” Responses like these underscore the widespread sentiment and criticism of Trump’s latest move.
Adding to the drama, rumors persist that Beyoncé might make a surprise appearance at the DNC. If true, her performance and potential endorsement of the Democratic candidate could lend significant momentum to Harris’ campaign and make a powerful statement against Trump’s unauthorized use of her music.
As the political theater continues to unfold, legal experts suggest that Beyoncé’s legal team may already be preparing for a response. Given Trump’s history of legal disputes over music rights, the latest controversy over “Freedom” raises questions about the strategic choices and advisability of his campaign’s tactics.
DNC airs new “Freedom” ad to kick off the Democratic Convention pic.twitter.com/lXLqKi2rAN
— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 20, 2024
In a climate where every move is scrutinized, the unauthorized use of a song deeply tied to social justice could prove to be a significant misstep, further intensifying the legal and public relations battles for Trump’s campaign.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Steve Harvey to Dr. Umar Johnson’s Accusations of Paid Support for Kamala Harris: ‘You Can’t Hire (Me) for $10,000 | WATCH
The post Trump Trolls Harris and Faces Backlash for Unauthorized Use of Beyoncé’s ‘Freedom’ | WATCH appeared first on EURweb.
