Foo Fighters have confirmed on social media that their song “My Hero” was used without their permission at a Trump rally. (Image: AP/AFP)
Foo Fighters clarified on social media that they did not authorise the use of their song “My Hero” at Donald Trump’s recent rally in Arizona.
Seattle rock band Foo Fighters lashed out at Republican contender for US elections, former president Donald Trump, for allegedly using their song My Hero without prior authorization at an Arizona rally Friday.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, scion of America’s storied political clan, suspended his long-shot presidential bid on Friday and endorsed Donald Trump, injecting new uncertainty into the White House race.
Within minutes of taking the stage, Trump was welcoming Kennedy to the microphone, accompanied by pyrotechnics and “My Hero” by the Foo Fighters.
When asked on social media site X whether the band had granted permission for the use of “My Hero,” Foo Fighters simply replied, “No.” They confirmed in a follow-up tweet that the track’s use was unauthorised.
“Foo Fighters were not asked permission, and if they were, they would not have granted it,” the band’s representative told Billboard magazine.
They also said that the royalty they may have received due to Trump using the song at the Arizona rally will be donated to the Harris-Walz campaign.
Earlier, singer Beyoncé threatened a cease-and-desist against the Trump campaign for a 13-second video featuring her song “Freedom” — which is also unofficially associated with Harris’ campaign — posted on X by Trump spokesman Steven Cheung.
Steven Cheung also appeared to push back against the claim made by Foo Fighters. “We have a license to play the song. The Foo Fighters or their spokesperson have no idea what they are talking about and engaging in faux outrage,” Cheung was quoted as saying by Newsweek.
Lawyers for the singer Isaac Hayes estate filed a notice of copyright infringement and threatened legal action against the Trump campaign. This was due to the unauthorised use of Hayes’ song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at several Trump rallies from 2022 to 2024.
Foo Fighters and Beyonce join Celine Dion, Adele, Neil Young, the Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, as well as Johnny Marr, Sinéad O’Connor, Pharrell Williams, and the estates of Tom Petty, Prince and David Bowie – all of whom have lashed out at Trump for using their music at rallies.
