Linkin Park send cease and desist to Trump campaign over music usage
It looks like the Trump campaign is in hot water again over unauthorized music use. Back in June, Panic! At The Disco spoke out after “High Hopes” was played at a recent Trump rally. Now, Linkin Park are sending a cease and desist letter to the Trump campaign over unauthorized music use.
Over the weekend, Donald Trump retweeted a campaign video that featured a cover of “In The End.”
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On Saturday, Trump retweeted a campaign video that featured a cover rendition of “In The End.” The cover was performed by Tommee Profitt featuring Fleurie and Jung Youth. The video was first shared by White House social media director Dan Scavino and then retweeted by the president.
Following Trump’s retweet, Linkin Park took to Twitter to share their plans to take action against the unauthorized music usage. They also say they do not endorse Trump.
“Linkin Park did not and does not endorse Trump, no authorize his organization to use any of music,” they tweet. “A cease and desist has been issues.”
Linkin Park did not and does not endorse Trump, nor authorize his organization to use any of our music. A cease and desist has been issued.
— LINKIN PARK (@linkinpark) July 19, 2020
Soon after Linkin Park’s tweet, the video was removed from Twitter. A message in that video now reads “this media has been disabled in response to a report by the copyright owner.”
— Dan Scavino (@DanScavino) July 17, 2020
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According to Variety, a takedown notice for the video was filed on July 18. The filing was done so by Machine Shop Entertainment, Linkin Park’s business and management company. In the notice, they formally request that removal of the video under the U.S.’s Digital Millennium Copyright Act law.
Mike Shinoda has been outspoken about the president in the past. In an interview with Angry Americans, he expressed his feelings about raising his kids during the Trump presidency.
“When I see a president whose words I can’t even repeat to my kids, because they’re too vulgar or they’re too demeaning to specific groups of people who are minority groups…I don’t wanna have to explain this to my kids,” Shinoda says.
What Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park has to say about Trump:
“When I see a president whose words I can’t even repeat to my kids, because they’re too vulgar or they’re too demeaning to specific groups of people who are minority groups? I don’t wanna have to explain this to my kids” pic.twitter.com/WQjMlvKPb8
— a.?? (@BroodingAnanas) July 19, 2020
Prior to his sudden death in 2017, Chester Bennington also tweeted his thoughts on Trump.
“I repeat….. Trump is a greater threat to the USA than terrorism!! We have to take back our voices and stand for what we believe in,” he said.
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I repeat….. Trump is a greater threat to the USA than terrorism!! We have to take back our voices and stand for what we believe in
— Chester Bennington (@ChesterBe) January 30, 2017
Jung Youth also released a statement regarding his “In The End” cover being used in the Trump video.
“Earlier today I found out that Trump illegally used a cover song that I am part of in a propaganda video which he tweeted…anyone who knows me knows I stand firmly against bigotry and racism,” he says. “Much love to everyone in the twitter community who helped get the video taken down fr!!”
Earlier today I found out that trump illegally used a cover song that I am part of in a propaganda video which he tweeted…anyone who knows me knows I stand firmly against bigotry and racism. Much love to everyone in the twitter community who helped get the video taken down fr!!
— JUNG YOUTH (@JUNGYOUTHmusic) July 19, 2020
This isn’t the first time the Trump campaign has faced scrutiny over the use of unauthorized music. Back in June, Tom Petty‘s family spoke out after “I Won’t Back Down” was used at a Trump rally.
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As well, other artists including Rihanna, the Rolling Stones, Adele and Elton John are among those that have objected to Trump’s use of their music in the past. Some have even threatened legal action. Nickelback had their song “Photograph” removed from a Joe Biden meme video that Trump shared on social media.
In 2019, Queen forced the removal of “We Will Rock You” from a video clip Trump tweeted. According to a rep, Queen’s music publisher had the song removed after it was used without prior authorization.
What are your thoughts on Trump using “In The End” as part of his campaign? Let us know in the comments below.
