Former President Donald Trump apparently considers Robert F. Kennedy Jr. his hero. He played the Foo Fighters’ 1997 anthem “My Hero” to welcome him to the stage at a rally on Friday, August 23 in Glendale, Arizona, after the independent presidential candidate suspended his campaign and endorsed the Republican nominee. However, the band claims that Trump didn’t ask for permission to use the song.
“Foo Fighters were not asked permission, and if they were, they would not have granted it,” a spokesperson tells Billboard of the unauthorized usage.
Furthermore, “appropriate actions are being taken” against the campaign, the spokesperson continues, and any royalties received as a result of this usage will be donated to the Harris/Walz campaign.
“I don’t think too many of you people have heard of him, he’s very low-key,” Trump said as the chorus of “My Hero” started playing and Kennedy joined Trump onstage. With that, a row of flash pots went off. “He’s a very low-key person, but he’s highly respected. He is a great person. I’ve known him for so long. For the past 16 months. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.”
In addition to his, in a response to being asked by the X account with the name Wu-Tang Is for the Children if the band “let Trump use ‘My Hero’ to welcome RKJ Jr. on stage,” the Foo Fighters account simply replied, “No,” and then posted the exchange, adding, “Let us be clear.” They’ve also threatened to sue Trump.
Let us be clear. pic.twitter.com/gexHWjPMYh
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) August 24, 2024
The Trump campaign has been criticized for using music without permission for the second time this week and the third time this month. On Tuesday, a 13-second video was posted on social media showing Trump disembarking from a plane with Beyoncé’s “Freedom” playing in the background. This happened after Trump’s opponent, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, had already been using the song with permission for weeks.
Foo Fighters lied?
The Independent has uncovered the truth, and it turns out the Foo Fighters may not have the right to block use. They reported on Saturday that The Trump campaign did have permission to play “My Hero” at the rally. The paper has seen documents that confirm that Team Trump licensed the song from BMI’s Songview service.
The Foo Fighters ignored the fact they sold their rights to BMI while threatening to sue the Trump campaign. It is to be seen whether the Trump campaign attempts to sue the Foo Fighters for defamation.
