Rihanna is the latest artist to politely ask that Donald Trump not use their music at his rallies, joining an illustrious list that also includes Elton John, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, and Pharrell Williams, who recently sent our messy president a cease and desist that, by this point, is probably sitting in the trash alongside a slew of McDonald’s Sweet ‘N Sour sauce cups.
RiRi learned of the news via Washington Post White House bureau chief Philip Rucker, who, in a tweet, sought to explain how the president’s rallies look less like political meet-ups and more like NASCAR tailgates. “It’s been said a million times, but here’s a million and one — Trump’s rallies are unlike anything else in politics,” Rucker wrote. “Currently, Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ is blaring in Chattanooga as aides toss free Trump T-shirts into the crowd, like a ball game. Everyone’s loving it.”
The Anti artist retweeted the description, adding, “Not for much longer…me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up Philip!”
Unfortunately, she probably won’t have much recourse. As Axl Rose, of all people, pointed out, the organizers don’t need an artist’s permission. “Unfortunately the Trump campaign is using loopholes in the various venues’ blanket performance licenses which were not intended for such craven political purposes, without the songwriters’ consent,” he wrote, adding a poop emoji for emphasis.
This will probably continue, as rallies cannot thrive on Ted Nugent and Kid Rock alone.