Stop using Sinéad’s music at your rallies, her estate tells Trump
How the Donald has hit bum notes with top stars
SINÉAD O’Connor’s estate has said she would have been ‘disgusted, hurt and insulted’ at her version of Nothing Compares 2 U being used at Donald Trump’s political rallies.
A joint statement from the singer’s estate and label Chrysalis Records demanded the former president ‘desist from using her music immediately’.
It said Ms O’Connor, who died last July aged 56, lived by a ‘fierce moral code’ and had previously referred to Mr Trump as a ‘biblical devil’.
The statement said: ‘Throughout her life, it is well known that Sinéad O’Connor lived by a fierce moral code defined by honesty, kindness, fairness, and decency towards her fellow human beings. It was with outrage therefore that we learned that Donald Trump has been using her iconic performance of Nothing Compares 2 U at his political rallies.
‘It is no exaggeration to say that Sinéad would have been disgusted, hurt and insulted to have her work misrepresented in this way by someone who she herself referred to as a “biblical devil”.
‘As the guardians of her legacy, we demand that Donald Trump and his associates desist from using her music immediately.’
Ms O’Connor’s version of
Rihanna threatened legal action
Nothing Compares 2 U topped the charts in numerous countries including Ireland in 1990 and propelled her to stardom.
The Dublin singer was also known for being outspoken on her struggles with mental health and was vocal in her criticisms of the Catholic Church.
A coroner ruled she died from natural causes in her southeast London home on July 26, 2023.
Mr Trump, who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021, is running for a second term after he was ousted by Joe Biden.
He is currently campaigning to be the Republican nominee for the upcoming 2024 election.
Ms O’Connor joins a long list of artists who have demanded Mr Trump desist from using their music for his political campaigns, including The Smiths’ Johnny Marr, Rihanna, Neil Young, Linkin Park, the late Tom Petty and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.
In 2018 Rihanna threatened legal action after Mr Trump used Don’t Stop the Music at one of his rallies. Her legal team said that she was not affiliated with the former president and did not support his campaign.
The Rolling Stones said they sent cease-and-desist letters to Mr Trump in 2016 after he played You Can’t Always Get What You Want. He used the song again in June 2020 and the band has now threatened legal action if it is played again.
The family of Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti objected to Mr Trump using his recording of Nessun Dorma at a political rally. His family said Mr Trump’s views on immigration were in opposition to Pavarotti’s efforts of raising money for refugees.
In 2016, Mr Trump used Bruce Springsteen’s Born In The USA at a political rally. The singer subsequently endorsed Mr Trump’s opponent Hillary Clinton which led to the song being booed every time the former president played it at rallies.
Adele said she did not want her music used in any political campaigning after Mr Trump used Rolling In The Deep and Skyfall at rallies in 2016.
Elton John said he believed as a British musician he had no place in US politics after he opposed Mr Trump using Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer at rallies. Elton said it was not personal, but added that his political views were very different to Mr Trump’s.
The first rocker to come out against Mr Trump playing their music was Neil Young in June 2015, over the use of Rockin’ In The Free World, which was used as background noise for his official presidential campaign announcement at Trump Tower.
‘Neil Young, a Canadian citizen, is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for president of the United States of America,’ the musician’s label asserted at the time.
Mr Trump’s campaign team responded, saying: ‘Mr Trump’s campaign paid for and obtained the legal right to use Neil Young’s recording of Rockin’ In The Free World. Mr Trump is a huge fan of Neil Young and his music and will continue to be, regardless of Neil’s political views.’
However, the future president almost immediately ceased playing Rockin’ In The Free World – even with the legal logistics in his favour – owing to Mr Trump’s lifelong affection for Young.
‘Mr Trump is a big fan and likes Neil very much,’ campaign manager Corey Lewandowski said at the time.
‘We will respect his wish.’