The Foo Fighters have taken a stand against the unauthorized use of their music by former President Donald Trump’s campaign. The band’s representative confirmed that Trump’s campaign did not obtain permission to play their song “My Hero” at a recent rally in Arizona, and they intend to redirect any royalties earned from this unauthorized use to Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign.
On Friday, footage from the Trump rally showed “My Hero,” a hit from the Foo Fighters’ 1997 album, being played to the crowd. However, the band’s spokesperson clarified in a statement to CNN that no approval was given for the use of the song. “Foo Fighters were not asked permission, and if they were they would not have granted it,” the statement said. The spokesperson also confirmed that any royalties resulting from the unauthorized use would be donated to the Harris/Walz campaign.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running for re-election with Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, has seen her campaign generate significant funds. As of Sunday, her campaign reported raising $540 million since her candidacy began just over a month ago. Harris and Walz are scheduled to embark on a bus tour in Georgia, a critical battleground state, later this week.
This incident follows a similar dispute involving another artist. Earlier this month, Celine Dion criticized the Trump campaign for using her 1997 hit “My Heart Will Go On” at a Montana rally without authorization. Dion’s statement, which was shared on her social media accounts, denounced the use of the song and humorously questioned the campaign’s musical selection.
The Foo Fighters’ response highlights ongoing tensions between artists and political campaigns over the use of their music without permission.
