Pharrell Williams bans Trump from using his music as president plays ‘Happy’ after Pittsburgh shooting
Musician sent the president a cease-and-desist letter after 'poorly timed' usage of his hit single
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Your support makes all the difference.Pharrell Williams has banned Donald Trump from using his music.
The singer’s lawyer sent a cease-and-desist letter to the president after he played his hit single ‘Happy“ at an event during the weekend, just hours after nearly a dozen people were killed in a Pittsburgh synagogue.
“On the day of the mass murder of 11 human beings at the hands of a deranged ‘nationalist,’ you played his song ‘Happy’ to a crowd at a political event in Indiana,” Howard King wrote in the letter, which has since been obtained by USA TODAY.
While noting that the deployment of the song was ill-timed, Williams’ lawyer also highlighted it was used in violation of “copyright infringement” and “trademark rights.”
King added: “There was nothing ‘happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday and no permission was granted for your use of this song for this purpose.”
According to the letter, Williams “will not” allow Trump to use music from his back catalogue at any future event.
Numerous musicians have objected to Trump’s use of their music in the past. Earlier this year, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler stepped in when the president played their song “Livin’ on the Edge” at a Charleston rally and “creating the false impression” he had approved its usage.
Queen, REM and the estate of Prince have also stepped in after Trump used their music without seeking their consent.
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