Queen’s Brian May Says Donald Trump Had No Permission To Use ‘We Are The Champions’ In ‘Victory’ Speech
It appears Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump doesn’t have many fans in the music industry, as he has now angered Brian May by using a classic Queen hit at a recent rally.
Queen guitarist has issued a stern statement after Donald Trump used the hit song “We Are The Champions” as a background for his victory speech Tuesday.
Reportedly when Trump clinched the final round of the Republican primaries, he strutted on stage to give his victory speech, backed by the iconic song, thoroughly upsetting Brian. May is now denouncing the usage of that song, saying The Donald did not have permission to use it.
#Queen‘s Brian May denies Donald Trump permission to use band’s music @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/rWaAeb4DN9 pic.twitter.com/BSNKZlqtl9
— Queen (@QueenRockBand) June 9, 2016
As reported by Exclaim!, May wrote on his website that he had received “an avalanche of complaints” about Trump using the “We Are The Champions” track as his “theme song” on USA TV.
Saying some of the complaints can be seen on the “Letters” page of their website, he continued by saying that while it was not an official Queen statement, he “can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given.”
“We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr. Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool.”
On the “Letters” page, May responded to the various complaints received, including one from Lois Hartwick, who said in her missive, “I was shocked (to say the least) that Trump has taken on ‘We Are The Champions’ as his theme song – his entrance onto the stage and off it, as well as casting himself as the “Champion” of the American people.”
She also noted: “The CNN announcer then spoke about Freddie and said he was dead. Like that.”
Queen’s Brian May let fans know that Trump does not, and has never had permission to use “We Are The Champions.” https://t.co/1h06HVs9CZ
— Radio.com (@Radiodotcom) June 9, 2016
May responded by saying, “We certainly have not approved this use of WATC [“We Are The Champions] – I will make sure we take what steps we can to dissociate ourselves from Donald Trump’s unsavory campaign.”
Trump enters speech to We Are the Champions. Freddie Mercury just sent a cease & desist letter from the grave. #tytlive
— Jayar Jackson (@JayarJackson) June 8, 2016
Steve Zukowsky wrote, “We just sadly watched as Donald Trump exited his speech to the strains of “We Are the Champions.” We sincerely hope you and the Queen organization request that he IMMEDIATELY cease and desist this use of your music! Awful to see such beautiful sounds being used to promote such ugly, hateful ideas.”
Joyce Robalino concluded her post with the words, “The man is a racist and many of his comments in that vein the past few days has caused some of his high profile supporters start backing off.”
Reportedly, May is not the first musician to speak out against Donald Trump using their music. Back in September, when Trump used the R.E.M. hit “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” at a rally, R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe spoke out, saying, “”Go f**k yourselves, the lot of you – you sad, attention-grabbing, power-hungry little men… Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign.”
R.E.M. tells ‘Orange Clown’ Donald Trump to quit using their songs – https://t.co/tSGzHPclQo – @washtimes
— S sob (@dragonsandy1) May 22, 2016
According to a report by Rolling Stone, the singer then continued by saying, “While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates cease and desist from doing so, let us remember that there are things of greater importance at stake here.”
“The media and the American voter should focus on the bigger picture, and not allow grandstanding politicians to distract us from the pressing issues of the day and of the current Presidential campaign.”
In that report it was also mentioned that Trump used Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” when kicking off his presidential campaign, drawing strong condemnation from Young. Young is reportedly a supporter of the Sanders campaign. Reportedly, the Trump campaign did agree to stop using his music in future.
[Photo Brian May by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images Entertainment – Donald Trump by John Moore/Getty Images News]
