ABBA members have appealed to Donald Trump to stop using their music at rallies. The musicians learned about the band's music being played at the former president's event online. They found a video from a campaign rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where the audience could hear hits such as “The Winner Takes It All,” “Dancing Queen,” and “Money, Money, Money.” The candidate's campaign team is convinced that they can reach for songs by Swedish artists.
“Thanks to the videos that have appeared on the Internet, Benny Andersson, Agnetha Fältskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Björn Ulvaeus (members of the band – ed.) recently discovered that unauthorized use of their music and music videos took place during Donald Trump's rally.” In response, ABBA and its representatives immediately requested that the content be removed from the Internet – indicates a statement from the band's representative sent to “The Washington Post”. According to the statement, the band never received a request for permission to use ABBA's music during the rallies. “No permission or license was issued for this reason,” the group informs.
According to The Guardian, ABBA members have appealed to Trump to stop playing their music at his future events. The rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota, during which the audience could hear ABBA's biggest hits, such as “The Winner Takes It All,” “Dancing Queen” and “Money, Money, Money,” took place on Saturday, July 27.
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ABBA opposes Trump's use of their work
Responding to the artists' allegations, the spokesman Donald Trump assured that the politician's staff has a “license to play ABBA's music.” It was obtained thanks to an agreement with two organizations representing creators and managing their copyrights – Broadcast Music Inc. and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Representatives of BMI and ASCAP have not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter sent by American media.
ABBA, archive photo PAP/CTK
Last week too Foo Fighters band members opposed the use of their music by Donald Trump's campaign. A spokesperson for the group even announced that the band would donate any royalties from unauthorized use of the song “My Hero” to the campaigns of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
In the past, Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, Ozzy Osbourne, as well as members of the Rolling Stones and Queen have also protested against the use of their songs by Trump's campaign. “unauthorized” use of the song “My Heart Will Go On” in early August, the politician also criticized Celine Dion.
Donald Trump at an election rally PAP/EPA/ALLISON DINNER
Reuters, The Guardian, Washington Post, tvn24.pl
Main image source: PAP/EPA/ALLISON DINNER