Donald Trump Faces Mixed Reactions After Pennsylvania Town Hall, Including a Cease-and-Desist from Singer Rufus Wainwright
Former President Donald Trump’s recent Pennsylvania town hall has sparked mixed reactions, with one artist issuing a cease-and-desist order while another expressed praise. The event, held in a small Pennsylvania town, took an unusual turn when Trump paused the proceedings after several audience members experienced medical emergencies. To ease the tension, Trump announced, “Let’s listen to music,” and proceeded to play a 40-minute set of various songs.
The musical selection included tracks from iconic artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, James Brown, and The Village People, whose hit “Y.M.C.A.” has become synonymous with Trump’s rallies. However, not all the artists featured were pleased. Rufus Wainwright, whose cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” from the Shrek 2 soundtrack was played during the event, reacted negatively to the use of his music.
Wainwright confirmed that the estate of Leonard Cohen, through its publishing company, has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump’s team. This adds to a growing list of artists who have objected to their music being used at Trump’s events without prior permission.