Beyoncé threatens Donald Trump with legal action over campaign video
22 August 2024, 08:03
Beyoncé has threatened Donald Trump with legal action over the use of her music in his latest campaign video.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
The Lemonade hitmaker has threatened the former President with a Cease-and-Desist after he used her track “Freedom” in his latest campaign clip.
The attempt to nab the track follows Kamala Harris’ using the track as her unofficial campaign song.
As part of the 13-second clip, Trump is pictured leaving a plane backed by the iconic "Freedom" track - a move that is said to have taken place without the singer's permission.
It was viewed by many as a possible attempt to troll Harris.
According to Rolling Stone, Beyoncé did not give her consent for the track to be used by the Trump campaign.
It's reported to have forced the "Single Ladies" hitmaker to take legal action.
The short clip, posted to Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung’s social media account on Tuesday, was still live and available to view until Wednesday, despite legal action being issues.
It has now been removed.
Read more: Fast-tracked riot charges will 'add to the backlog' of sexual offences in criminal justice system
Read more: 'It filled me with a new sense of fear': Taylor Swift breaks silence on alleged Vienna terror plot
It saw fans take to social media to decry Trump's use of the track, with one writing: “Freedom is a song written about slavery and police brutality against POC.
"How disgusting and despicable for any of you to use it to support that convicted felon.”
A source close to Beyoncé is said to have told Rolling Stone that the Trump campaign did not receive permission to use the track over the footage of him disembarking his plane in Michigan.
Harris-Walz campaign debuted a new ad soundtracked using the song on Monday, with actor Jeffrey Wright adding narration to the clip.
The voice over asks: “What kind of America do we want?”
Beyoncé gave Harris permission to use the track from her 2016 album up until the November election, CNN reported.
It follows the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, in which Tim Walz was confirmed as Harris' running mate.
