Rufus Wainwright slams Donald Trump’s use of ‘Hallelujah’ at Pennsylvania rally as ‘height of blasphemy’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rufus Wainwright has joined a growing list of musicians who have criticized former president Donald Trump for playing their songs without permission.

During a music-filled town hall meeting at Oaks, Pennsylvania, on Monday, October 14, Trump included Wainwright's 2007 cover of Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah' among several other tracks.

Rufus Wainwright denounces Donald Trump's use of 'Hallelujah' during rally

After spinning The Village People’s 'YMCA', Donald Trump urged event organizers to “turn that music up” during Rufus Wainwright’s rendition. He referred to 'Hallelujah' as a “great song", while he waved to the audience, per Entertainment Weekly.

Wainwright, who is endorsing Kamala Harris, expressed his astonishment at being featured in Trump’s rally playlist. He took to X, formerly Twitter, on October 15 to denounce the use of his song at Trump's rally.

He stated, “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.”

The Grammy-nominated singer elaborated on his feelings, saying, “Of course, 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.”

In the wake of the event, it was reported that Sony Music Publishing, which manages the rights for Cohen’s estate, has issued a cease and desist letter to the Trump campaign. Representatives for Cohen's estate, Sony Music Publishing, and the Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump's Monday rally was interrupted by two medical emergencies and morphed into an impromptu concert where the Republican presidential nominee swayed along to a playlist that included The Village People, Sinead O'Connor, Elvis and Wainwright.

Musicians condemn unauthorized use of their songs by Donald Trump

This incident is not isolated, musicians have previously expressed their discontent with Donald Trump’s use of their songs. In 2018, Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose publicly stated that the band had formally requested their music not be "used at Trump rallies or Trump associated events".

Additionally, earlier this year, the estate of Sinead O’Connor and her label, Chrysalis Records, issued a statement indicating that “Sinead would have been disgusted, hurt, and insulted” by Trump playing her song.

Moreover, 'Hallelujah' has faced similar issues at political events before. The song was played at the 2020 Republican National Convention, prompting Cohen's estate to announce it was “exploring our legal options” at that time.

Michelle L Rice, a legal representative for the Cohen Estate, expressed their disappointment, stating, “We are surprised and dismayed that the RNC would proceed knowing that the Cohen Estate had specifically declined the RNC’s use request. And their rather brazen attempt to politicize and exploit in such an egregious manner ‘Hallelujah,’ one of the most important songs in the Cohen song catalogue.”