Beyoncé Threatens Cease-and-Desist After Trump Campaign Uses Her Song 'Freedom' on Social Media: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Beyoncé, Donald Trump.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty; Grant Baldwin/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty; Grant Baldwin/Getty

The Trump campaign has gottenBeyoncé’s attention for all the wrong reasons.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson forDonald Trump,shared a video on his own X accountof the former president walking off a plane on Tuesday, Aug. 20, set to the track “Freedom” off Beyoncé’s 2016 albumLemonade.“Touchdown in Michigan!!@realDonaldTrump,” the caption read.

The use of the song, which also featuresKendrick Lamar, instantly caught attention online, as Democratic nomineeKamala Harrishas used it at several campaign events.

Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty

While Beyoncé, 42, has not commented on the video,Rolling Stonereported on Wednesday, Aug. 21, that the Trump campaign did not have permission to use the track and that the singer has threatened to send the Republican presidential nominee’s camp a cease-and-desist. PEOPLE has reached out to a representative for Beyoncé for comment.

The Harris campaignmost recently used the track in a new adunveiled on Monday, Aug. 19, duringthe first day of the Democratic National Convention.

Although Beyoncé has not officially endorsed Harris, she’s voiced her support for the Democratic party on various occasions, including in 2013, when shesang the national anthematformer President Barack Obama’s inauguration. In 2020, sheposted a social media clipencouraging voters for current PresidentJoe Biden.

Kamala Harris speaks during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, US, on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024.Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg/Getty

Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg/Getty

The fashion designer, 70, posted aphoto next to Harris in late July on Instagram, writing, “New, Youthful, Sharp , , energy !!!! You asked for it and our President Biden did what was best for the country ! Putting personal Ego , power and fame aside . That is the definition of a great leader, . Thank you, President Biden for your service and your leadership . Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Let’s Go ❤️❤️❤️❤️#kamala2024.”

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate on August 08, 2024,.Joe Raedle/Getty

Joe Raedle/Getty

“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go On” at a Donald Trump /JD Vancecampaign rally in Montana,” astatementshared on the performer’s social media accounts read.

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“In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?” the statement continued, referencing its original use in the 1997 blockbuster filmTitanic.

source: people.com