Donald Trump is still using Sinéad O’Connor’s iconic hit "Nothing Compares 2 U" at his political rallies, despite being asked not to by her estate.
Earlier this year, the late singer’s estate and record label said it was "no exaggeration to say that she would have been disgusted, hurt, and insulted" by the former US president’s use of her music.
Their comments were in response to Trump using the song at a campaign event in Maryland in March.
However, the request has been ignored as evidenced by Wednesday night’s rally in Asheville, North Carolina.
While the song wasn’t played before or during his 90-minute speech, it was streamed as the crew began to pack up.
The late Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” on the playlist at this Donald Trump event in Asheville, NC as the crew pack up after his 1hr+ remarks on the economy. @BBCNews pic.twitter.com/dInVX0zynb
— Caitriona Perry (@CaitrionaPerry) August 14, 2024
A statement from O’Connor’s estate in March 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.'
"As the guardians of her legacy, we demand that Donald Trump and his associates desist from using her music immediately."
No response was received from O’Connor’s representatives last night, in response to queries from the Mail.
It was revealed last month that O’Connor’s death in July last year was brought on by her battle with asthma and chronic lung disease.
Numerous other world-famous musicians have also taken offence at Trump using their songs.
In 2018, Rihanna threatened to sue the former president after her hit "Don’t Stop the Music" was played at one of his rallies.
Her legal team sent him a cease and desist letter, stating: "As you are or should be aware, [Rihanna] Fenty has not provided her consent to Mr. Trump to use her music. ‘Such use is therefore improper."
The Rolling Stones also sent the Republican candidate a cease and desist letter after he played "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" in 2016. However, Trump used the song again in his 2020 campaign.
The 78-year-old also used Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of "Nessun Dorma," which the late tenor’s family objected to because of Trump’s views on immigration.
Elton John and Adele also took offence to their songs being played at his political rallies in recent years.
Meanwhile, Trump is asking the judge in his New York hush money criminal case to delay his sentencing until after the November election.
In a letter made public yesterday, August 15, lawyers for the former president and current Republican nominee suggested that sentencing Trump as scheduled on September 18 – about seven weeks before Election Day – would amount to election interference.
Trump’s lawyers wrote that a delay would also allow Trump time to weigh his next steps after the trial judge, Juan Merchan, is expected to rule on September 16 on the defence’s request to overturn the verdict and dismiss the case because of the US Supreme Court’s July ruling on presidential immunity.
"There is no basis for continuing to rush," Trump’s lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, wrote.
Blanche and Bove sent the letter to Judge Merchan on Wednesday after the judge rejected the defence’s latest request that he step aside from the case.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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