Trump Made Millions Off These Black Stars—They Got Nothing

One of the biggest debates this campaign season isn’t about policy—it’s about playlists. Donald Trump has once again been caught using music from Black artists at his rallies without permission, without credit, and without paying a dime. And the artists? They’re not happy.

Trump’s campaign has been repeatedly accused of playing songs by legendary Black musicians to hype up his crowds while raking in millions, all without compensating or even asking permission from the artists themselves. This issue has escalated to the point where musicians are now taking legal action to put a stop to it.

A Pattern of Exploitation

For years, Trump has used music from Black artists who have explicitly opposed him, disregarding their wishes and copyright laws. His campaign insists that they have the proper licensing, but artists argue that this doesn’t grant Trump the moral or ethical right to use their work for political gain.

Artists like Rihanna, Pharrell Williams, and the Prince estate have sent cease-and-desist letters demanding Trump stop playing their songs. In 2018, Prince’s half-brother Omar Baker publicly denounced the use of “Purple Rain” at Trump’s rallies, stating that the Prince estate had never given permission. Similarly, Pharrell Williams took legal action after learning that Trump played “Happy” at a rally just hours after the tragic Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, calling the move completely inappropriate.

The Latest Controversy: Beyoncé’s “Freedom”

Most recently, Trump’s campaign used Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” from her 2016 album Lemonade in a promotional video featuring the former president. The video, shared by Trump spokesperson Steven Chung, featured footage of Trump stepping off a plane set to the powerful anthem. Beyoncé’s team quickly responded, threatening legal action for unauthorized use.

This follows another recent instance where Earth, Wind & Fire spoke out against the unauthorized use of their classic hit “September” at the Republican National Convention. The band made it clear they did not approve, echoing sentiments from Queen, who had similarly denounced Trump for using “We Are the Champions” without permission.

Repeated Warnings, Ignored

Despite multiple warnings and legal threats, Trump’s campaign has continued to use music without authorization. The estate of James Brown, known as the “Godfather of Soul,” has also voiced concerns, while Eddie Levert of The O’Jays publicly condemned Trump for using their hit “Love Train” at his rallies. Levert stated, “I don’t believe in what you’re doing, I’m not with you, I don’t want you to use my voice.”

A Larger Issue in the Music Industry

This isn’t just about Trump. It’s about a longstanding pattern in the music industry where Black artists create culture-defining hits but often receive the least compensation. The exploitation of Black musicians has been a systemic issue for decades, with record labels, streaming services, and politicians profiting off their work without fair compensation.

Trump’s continued use of Black artists’ music without permission is just another example of this exploitation. While he claims to support American businesses and creators, his actions tell a different story—one of disregard for the very artists whose work helps energize his rallies.

Will Trump Finally Face Consequences?

The big question now is whether Trump will face legal consequences for his repeated unauthorized use of music. Given the increasing number of artists taking legal action, it’s possible that future lawsuits could force his campaign to stop the practice once and for all. However, with his track record of ignoring cease-and-desist orders, it remains to be seen whether legal threats will have any impact.

One thing is clear: Black artists deserve respect, recognition, and compensation for their work. Whether in politics or in entertainment, their voices should not be exploited for someone else’s gain.