Phil Collins has become the latest musician to send the Donald J. Trump for President campaign a cease and desist order regarding unauthorized music use.
On Wednesday evening (October 14), President Trump held a rally in Des Moines, Iowa where Collins’ 1981 hit “In the Air Tonight” was played before the president took to the rally stage.
A rep for Collins told Consequence of Sound, “Yes we are well aware of the Trump campaign’s use of this song and we have already issued a ‘cease and desist’ letter via our lawyers who continue to monitor the situation.
Collins is the latest high-profile artists to ask President Trump’s campaign to refrain from using their music during rally events. In August, Neil Young took things a step further by filing a copyright infringement lawsuit against the Donald J. Trump for President campaign for their use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at various campaign events.
Young shared the lawsuit filing via his official website. The lawsuit document states, “This complaint is not intended to disrespect the rights and opinions of American citizens, who are free to support the candidate of their choosing. However, Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate.”
The lawsuit points to the Trump campaign’s use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” on multiple occasions, including the recent Trump campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla. on June 20 where both songs were played.
“The Campaign does not now have, and did not at the time of the Tulsa rally, have a license or Plaintiff’s permission to play the to Songs at any public political event,” the lawsuit reads.
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