Rihanna has sent President Donald Trump a cease and desist letter for using her music to hype up the crowds at his rallies without her permission.
The pop star learned that her song “Don’t Stop the Music” was being played at a rally for Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn in Chattanooga, Tennessee through a tweet by Washington Post reporter Philip Rucker.
“It’s been said a million times, but here’s a million and one — Trump’s rallies are unlike anything else in politics. Currently, Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ is blaring in Chattanooga as aides toss free Trump T-shirts into the crowd, like a ball game. Everyone’s loving it,” Rucker tweeted about the rally which was attended by Trump.
“Not for much longer…me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up philip!” Rihanna tweeted back.
Not for much longer…me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up philip! https://t.co/dRgRi06GrJ
— Rihanna (@rihanna) November 5, 2018
Rihanna kept to her word and her legal team soon sent a letter to Trump’s White House counsel, according to Rolling Stone.
“It has come to our attention that President Trump has utilized [Rihanna’s] musical compositions and master recordings, including her hit track ‘Don’t Stop the Music,’ in connection with a number of political events held across the United States,” the letter reads. “As you are or should be aware, Ms. Fenty has not provided her consent to Mr. Trump to use her music. Such use is therefore improper.”
Rihanna is just the latest celebrity to slam Trump for using music without permission of the artist. Pharell Williams’ lawyers sent a cease and desist letter to Trump after Williams’ song “Happy” was played at a rally following the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Axl Rose also blasted the Trump campaign for using Guns N’ Roses songs at rallies calling them “shitbags.”
Just so ya know… GNR like a lot of artists opposed to the unauthorized use of their music at political events has formally requested r music not b used at Trump rallies or Trump associated events.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
