Sinead O'Connor's estate asks Donald Trump not to use her music
- Published
The estate of Sinéad O'Connor has asked Donald Trump to stop using her music at his political rallies.
Last month, Mr Trump played O'Connor's best-known song Nothing Compares 2 U at a campaign event in Maryland.
The singer's estate told BBC News it was "no exaggeration to say that Sinéad would have been disgusted, hurt, and insulted" by his use of her music.
Mr Trump is running to be the Republican presidential candidate ahead of the US election in November.
A joint statement from O'Connor's estate and her longtime label Chrysalis Records said: "Throughout her life, it is well known that Sinéad O'Connor lived by a fierce moral code defined by honesty, kindness, fairness, and decency towards her fellow human beings.
"It was with outrage therefore that we learned that Donald Trump has been using her iconic performance of Nothing Compares 2 U at his political rallies.
"It is no exaggeration to say that Sinéad would have been disgusted, hurt, and insulted to have her work misrepresented in this way by someone who she herself referred to as a 'biblical devil'."
The statement concluded: "As the guardians of her legacy, we demand that Donald Trump, and his associates desist from using her music immediately."
The Guardian reported songs including Abba's Dancing Queen, Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire and Elvis Presley's Suspicious Minds were used in addition to Nothing Compares 2 U before Mr Trump took to the stage on 24 February.
Written by Prince, O'Connor's version of Nothing Compares 2 U spent four weeks at number one in the UK in 1990.
O'Connor died last July aged 56. A coroner later said she died of natural causes.
Mr Trump served as the 45th US president after winning the 2016 election, but he lost to President Biden in 2020.
Who else has asked Trump to stop using their music?
- In 2018 Rihanna threatened legal action after Mr Trump used Don't Stop the Music at one of his rallies. Her legal team said she was not affiliated with the former president and did not support his campaign.
- The Rolling Stones said they sent cease and desist letters to Mr Trump in 2016 after he played You Can't Always Get What You Want. He used the song again in June 2020 and the band has now threatened legal action if it is played again.
- The family of Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti objected to Mr Trump using his recording of Nessun Dorma at a political rally. His family said Mr Trump's views on immigration were in opposition to Pavarotti's efforts of raising money for refugees.
- In 2016, Mr Trump used Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA at a political rally. The singer subsequently endorsed Mr Trump's opponent Hilary Clinton which led to the song being booed every time the former president played it at rallies.
- Adele said she did not want her music used in any political campaigning after Mr Trump used Rolling in the Deep and Skyfall at rallies in 2016.
- Sir Elton John said he believed as a British musician he had no place in US politics after he opposed Mr Trump using Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer at rallies. Sir Elton said it was not personal, but added that his political views were very different to Mr Trump's.
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