Swedish pop group ABBA has requested former U.S. President Donald Trump to cease using their songs at his campaign rallies. This comes after the group discovered their music had been played without authorization at a recent Trump event. Despite Trump’s campaign insisting that they have the proper license to use the songs, ABBA has made it clear they do not approve of their music being used for political purposes.
The issue came to light when videos surfaced online showing ABBA’s iconic tracks, including hits like “The Winner Takes It All,” being used at a Trump rally. ABBA responded quickly, with a representative issuing a statement saying that no permission or license had been granted for the use of their music. The band has requested the immediate removal and deletion of the content from any further use at Trump’s events.
ABBA is the latest in a series of musicians who have voiced their opposition to their music being associated with political figures or causes they don’t support. The band’s strong stance reinforces a recurring issue where artists find their music being used at political rallies without their consent.
Trump Campaign’s Stance on Music Usage
In response, a Trump campaign spokesperson stated that they have the legal right to play ABBA’s music at rallies, claiming that they hold the necessary licenses through agreements with U.S. Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) such as BMI and ASCAP. These organizations provide blanket licenses that allow venues or political campaigns to play a variety of songs from their catalog during public events.
However, while these licenses may permit the use of a song, legal experts explain that there can be additional rights involved, particularly if the music is used in conjunction with video or other forms of media. Depending on how the song is used, a separate license from the artist’s publisher or record label might be required, especially if the artists themselves do not want their music aligned with a particular campaign.
Artists’ Growing Frustration with Campaign Music Use
ABBA joins a growing number of high-profile artists who have taken issue with Trump using their music. Over the years, several musicians, including Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and the Rolling Stones, have asked Trump’s campaign to stop using their songs at rallies and events. This trend dates back to Trump’s 2016 campaign and has continued through the 2020 and 2024 election cycles.
In some cases, artists have even taken legal action. For example, the estate of soul legend Isaac Hayes filed a copyright infringement suit against Trump for unauthorized use of his songs. Artists have expressed frustration that, while legal channels such as PRO licenses allow campaigns to play their music, they still want a say in whether their work is used in a political context.
Music and Politics: The Fine Line
The tension between artists and political campaigns brings up broader questions about how music is used in public settings, particularly in the realm of politics. While campaigns can often secure licenses to play songs legally, this doesn’t always equate to an artist’s approval. Musicians like Jack White, the Foo Fighters, and many others have expressed strong disapproval when their music is associated with political figures or ideologies they don’t support.
White, in particular, made headlines recently when his song “Seven Nation Army” was used in a Trump campaign video posted to social media. White immediately condemned the usage and threatened legal action, underscoring the growing discord between musicians and the political campaigns that use their work.
The Broader Impact
The dispute between ABBA and Trump’s campaign highlights the growing tension between musicians and political campaigns over the use of their music. While the law may allow campaigns to play songs under certain licenses, it doesn’t necessarily mean the artists are on board with how their music is being represented. In ABBA’s case, their swift action to request the removal of their music from Trump’s rallies signals a clear stance: they do not want their songs to be associated with the former president’s political agenda.
As more artists speak out, it remains to be seen how campaigns will navigate these tensions in the future. While legal battles may ensue, what is clear is that musicians are becoming increasingly protective of how their work is used in the public eye, especially when it comes to politics.
In the meantime, ABBA’s fans and music enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and whether the Trump campaign will comply with the group’s requests.
