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Queen Asks Trump Not to Use Their Song — Again

Trump emerged on RNC stage Monday to band's iconic 'We Are the Champions'

Donald Trump makes a dramatic entrance to Queen's "We Are the Champions" before introducing his wife Melania at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Monday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
Donald Trump makes a dramatic entrance to Queen's "We Are the Champions" before introducing his wife Melania at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Monday. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Two of the most iconic British rock bands are irritated by Donald Trump’s continued use of their music during his campaign events.   

Trump walked out to Queen’s “We Are The Champions” on the first night of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, which the band did not authorize.  

Queen’s official Twitter page put out a statement about Trump’s use of the song:  

This is not the first time that Trump has had to be reminded that he can’t use the British rock band’s songs without its permission.   

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Special Coverage: 2016 Republican National Convention]


On June 7, Trump used “We Are The Champions” as his walk-on song after winning the final round of Republican primaries. Queen guitarist Brian May publicly chided Trump for this unauthorized use.   

“This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue,” May said in a June 8 statement on his website. “Regardless of our views on Mr. Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool.”  

Rolling Stones publicist Fran Curtis asked Trump in May to stop using the group’s song “Start Me Up” after Trump played it at a victory rally after the Indiana primary.   

“The Rolling Stones have never given permission to the Trump campaign to use their songs and have requested that they cease all use immediately,” Curtis told CNN .


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