Rufus Wainwright 'Mortified' His Version of 'Hallelujah' Played at Trump Rally: 'The Height of Blasphemy'

Mar. 15, 2025

Rufus Wainwright; Donald Trump.Photo:Chip Somodevilla/Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Film

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 21: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives two thumbs up to the crowd during the evening session on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the number of votes needed to secure the party’s nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicked off on July 18. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: Rufus Wainwright attends the Los Angeles Premiere of “My Policeman” at Regency Bruin Theatre on November 01, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Chip Somodevilla/Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Film

Rufus Wainwrightis not OK with his song “Hallelujah” being played at aDonald Trumprally.

In a statement shared tosocial mediaon Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Canadian-American singer and songwriter, 51, denounced the Republican presidential nominee’s use of his song and expressed his support forKamala Harris.

“Last night (October 14), at a Donald Trump town hall in Oaks, Pennsylvania, that NPR characterized as going ‘from a Q-and-A session toa bizarre musical eventin which Trump stood in front of his audience for an extended period while songs played on the sound system,’ numerous songs were played,” Wainwright wrote.

“Witnessing Trump and his supporters commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy. 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."

Wainwright added that the Trump campaign has been issued a cease and desist letter on behalf of the publishing company for Leonard Cohen’s estate.

former President Donald Trump.Spencer Platt/Getty

Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump, holds a town hall at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on October 14, 2024 in Oaks, Pennsylvania. His rival, Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, is speaking in Western Pennsylvania city of Erie.

Spencer Platt/Getty

“And needless to say: I am all in for Kamala!” the composer added, throwing his support behind the Democratic nominee.

As Wainwright pointed out, Trump made headlines for what many deemed “bizarre” behavior at his Oaks, Pa., town hall event.

While onstage, the former president was seen invideos shared on social mediaswaying to music for more than 30 minutes without speaking during his rally, as well as once again discussing fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter fromSilence of the Lambs.

However, his eyebrow-raising behavior didn’t end there.

Trump also urged his supportersto vote on Jan. 5, despite Election Day being Nov. 5.

Donald Trump; Kamala Harris.Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty; David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty

Donald Trump, Kamala Harris

Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty; David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty

The incident comes just days after Harris’ doctors gave the vice president, 59, an “excellent” bill of health.

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On Monday, Oct. 14, Harris addressed Trump’s Oaks, Pa. rally.

“Hope he’s OK,”she tweeted, along with a video clip of him appearing “lost, confused, and frozen” onstage.

source: people.com

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