ABBA accuses Trump of using their music without permission at rallies, campaign disputes claim

ABBA, the iconic Swedish supergroup known for hits such as “Waterloo” and “The Winner Takes It All,” has recently made headlines for requesting Donald Trump to cease using their music at campaign rallies. In a statement to The Associated Press, ABBA expressed their concern over the unauthorized use of their music and videos at a Trump event that surfaced online.

The band and its representatives promptly requested the removal and deletion of such content, stating that no permission or license had been granted for its use. However, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign countered this claim by asserting that they had obtained a license to play ABBA music through their agreements with music licensing organizations BMI and ASCAP.

This dispute between ABBA and the Trump campaign adds to a growing list of artists who have objected to the unauthorized use of their songs at political events. Notable musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Adele, and Beyoncé have all taken a stand against their music being played at Trump rallies without their consent.

In the most recent incident, Celine Dion requested Trump to stop using her song “My Heart Will Go On” after it was played at several campaign events. Similarly, Beyoncé blocked the use of her song “Freedom” after a video featuring the former president set to the song was posted by a campaign spokesperson.

Despite these objections, political campaigns are not legally required to obtain express permission from artists to play their songs at rallies if they have a blanket license from performing rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI. However, artists still hold the right to disapprove of their music being associated with a particular campaign or candidate.

ABBA’s music has made appearances at Trump events, with reports of “The Winner Takes It All” being played at a rally in Minnesota. Universal Music in Sweden confirmed that videos had surfaced showing ABBA’s music being used at Trump campaign events, prompting the band to take action.

Having achieved immense success in the 1970s and 1980s with 20 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, ABBA made a comeback with their album “Voyage” in 2021. Their enduring popularity and iconic sound continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

As the debate over music licensing and political rallies continues, artists like ABBA remain vigilant in protecting their creative works from unauthorized use. The clash between musical artists and political campaigns underscores the importance of respecting artists’ rights and ensuring that their music is used with proper authorization and consent.