"I in no way condone this"— Rufus Wainwright criticizes Donald Trump's campaign for using his cover for Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah in rally
Canadian-American singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright joined the list of musicians who have called out Donald Trump's campaign for using their music. He took to social media on Tuesday, October 15, to slam Trump's use of his cover of Leonard Cohen's song Hallelujah. He wrote on X:
"The song 'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen has become an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of the truth. I've been supremely honored over the years to be connected with this ode to tolerance. Witnessing Trump and his supporters commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy."
Wainwright referred to the Donald Trump town hall event on October 14 in Oaks, Pennsylvania, where the former POTUS did a Q-and-A session turned musical event. His cover of Cohen's 1984 songs was reportedly played during the musical segment of the gathering, where Trump stood in front of his audience for some time while songs played in the background.
In his statement, Rufus Wainwright said that while he doesn't condone Trump's use of his music, there's a part of him that hopes that Cohen's lyrics can evoke a sense of remorse to the presidential nominee. He stated:
"I in no way condone this and was mortified, but the good in me hopes that perhaps in inhabiting and really listening to the lyrics of Cohen's masterpiece, Donald Trump just might experience a hint of remorse over what he's caused. I'm not holding my breath."
Rufus Wainwright also clarified that he will be supporting Trump's opponent, Kamala Harris, in the upcoming presidential election.
Rufus Wainwright said Leonard Cohen's estate sent Trump cease and desist letter
After denouncing Donald Trump's unauthorized use of his version of Hallelujah, Rufus Wainwright said that Leonard Cohen's estate has sent Trump's campaign a cease and desist letter.
The publishing company for Leonard Cohen's estate has yet to speak about the letter. However, it isn't the first time Hallelujah has been in the same kind of battle. The Republican National Convention also played the song in 2020 just in time for the fireworks show, which the Cohen estate didn't like. The estate spoke out and denounced the use of the song at the said event.
The Cohen estate said at the time that they were exploring their legal options for the unauthorized use of Hallelujah. It came after the RNC requested the use of the song, but the Cohen estate reportedly declined the request. The estate's attorney also jested in a statement at the time, quoted by Rolling Stone, saying:
"Had the RNC requested another song, 'You Want it Darker,' for which Leonard won a posthumous Grammy in 2017, we might have considered approval of that song."
Rufus Wainwright and Leonard Cohen's estate are only the latest to oppose Donald Trump's use of their music at his campaign rallies and events. Beyoncé previously blocked the former POTUS' use of her song Freedom, which she later licensed to the Harris-Walz campaign. Isaac Hayes' estate also filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump's campaign's unauthorized use of his song Hold On, I'm Comin'.
Rihanna, Abba, Adele, Celine Dion, Aerosmith, and more have also asked Trump to stop using their songs in one way or the other.
