President Donald Trump blasted Pharrell Williams’ hit song “Happy” at the rally he insisted on holding just hours after 11 people were murdered at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Trump was criticized for holding his rally on the evening of the deadliest attack against Jews in U.S. history. Understandably, he’s also being criticized for his choice of music.
Playing “Happy” the evening after a massacre is oblivious, if not distasteful and callous. It’s also a decision that Pharrell was not okay with.
Pharrell’s lawyer, Howard King, wrote a cease and desist letter that was sent to Trump on Monday.
The Hollywood Reporter obtained a copy of the letter. It reads in part:
“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. 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.”
And Pharrell isn’t just furious about the offensive timing. He doesn’t want Trump using his music, period.
“Pharrell has not, and will not, grant you permission to publicly perform or otherwise broadcast or disseminate any of his music,” the letter states.
King notes that the use of “ Happy” without the artist’ s consent infringes on trademark and copyright law.
This isn’t the first time a musician has forbade Trump from using their music. Steven Tyler, Adele, The Rolling Stones, Twisted Sister, Elton John, R.E.M, and Queen are some of the major names who don’t want their music associated with his political rallies.
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