American rock band, Foo Fighter has decided to donate royalties from their for the song “My Hero” to Kamala Harris’ campaign.
This comes after the band went hard on former President, Donald Trump, and his campaign team for using the song without authorization. This adds up to Trump’s ongoing backlash from musicians taking legal action against him for not seeking permission before using their songs at his rallies.
A video posted on X platform (formerly known as Twitter) on Friday, August 23, revealed Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” song was being played as Trump introduced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona.
The X account that posted the video tagged the band asking if they had okayed the Republican Presidential candidate to use their song, “Hey @foofighters, did you let Trump use “My Hero” to welcome RFK Jr. on stage” the caption for the post read, shortly Foo Fighters responded saying “No.”
The Foo Fighters even confirmed in a second X post that they had not given the Trump campaign permission to perform “My Hero” at the rally.
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The band’s spokeswoman confirmed to MassLive on Monday that the Foo Fighters were not asked for permission to use the song, and “if they were, they would not have granted it.”
However, a Trump campaign spokeswoman informed The Independent that “we have a license to play the song.”
The band’s publicist stated that “any royalties received as a result of this use will be donated” to the campaign of Trump’s Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris who is running alongside Governor Tim Walz.
As it stands now, Foo Fighters joins a tall list of musicians including Celine Dion, Beyonce, Isaac Hayes’ family, Sinéad O’Connor’s estate, and others who have opted for legal actions against Donald Trump for unauthorized use of their songs at his rallies.
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Why Do Musicians Take Legal Actions Against Politicians For Using Their Songs And Royalty Saga?
Musicians often push back against the use of their songs in political campaigns or rallies, and there are several compelling reasons behind this.
Political Association is one of the biggest concerns. Musicians put their heart and soul into their music, and they want to be sure it’s not used to support a political agenda they don’t agree with.
Imagine your favorite song being played at a rally for a politician whose views you completely oppose – it could taint your relationship with the song, and that’s exactly what artists want to avoid. They want to keep their music free from unwanted political ties, which could alienate fans and harm their reputation.
Then there’s Copyright Control. Musicians, or whoever owns the rights to their music, have the legal right to decide how their work is used. When a song is played without permission, especially on such a public stage as a political rally, it can be a clear violation of copyright laws.
This isn’t just about the law, though – it’s about the principle of creative ownership. Musicians pour their creativity into their songs, and they deserve to have a say in how that creativity is showcased.
The Brand Image factor is also crucial. Artists spend years carefully crafting their public image, and if their music is suddenly blaring out in support of a cause they don’t align with, it can seriously damage the image they’ve worked so hard to build. In a world where image is everything, this is no small matter.
When it comes to royalties, the situation gets a bit more complex. Every time a song is played publicly, like at a rally, a license is typically required from a performing rights organization (PRO) such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.
These organizations collect royalties on behalf of the musicians, ensuring they get paid for the public use of their work. However, if a politician or campaign skips this step, it could lead to copyright infringement, meaning the artist isn’t getting the royalties they’re rightfully owed.
While it’s true that musicians can earn royalties from their songs being played at such events, for most artists, it’s not just about the money. The key issue is maintaining control over their work and ensuring it aligns with their values. But of course, making sure they’re compensated fairly doesn’t hurt either.
Related: Isaac Hayes Estate Secures Emergency Hearing Against Trump Over Rally Music Use
