President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm with Prince’s estate Thursday when it was discovered the commander-in-chief used “Purple Rain” at a rally in the Purple One’s hometown earlier that night.
During the rally in Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 10, Trump took the time to take aim at his Democratic rivals, criticize immigration policies and reinforce his support for police, CNN reported. But it was his use of Prince’s 1984 song that played before he walked out to address the crowd that spelled trouble.
“President Trump played Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ tonight at a campaign event in Minneapolis despite confirming a year ago that the campaign would not use Prince’s music. The Prince Estate will never give permission to President Trump to use Prince’s songs,” read a tweet posted by the late singer’s official account Thursday night.
Attached to the post was a letter from 2018 in which attorney Megan A. Newton of the Jones Day law firm confirmed the Trump campaign received a letter that asks the group to refrain from using Prince’s music — including “Purple Rain” — for campaign rallies or events.
“Without admitting liability, and to avoid any future dispute, we write to confirm that the Campaign will not use Prince’s music in connection with its activities going forward,” the letter concluded.
Several fans responded by urging the estate to sue the president, who addressed attendees in a state in which he narrowly lost during the 2016 election.
“Sue him for 100 billion dollars”
“Thank you. Please sue his ass for all he’s got.”
“Forget the letters, GO STRAIGHT TO COURT. THESE djt PEOPLE THINK THEY CAN DO …ANYTHING. HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS AND WHERE THEY UNDERSTAND.”
“Sue his wiglet off!”
“Please sue them … Trump steals everything he can get his filthy hands on. He’s always using artists music that have demanded they not use their material, as they do not in ANY way want to be affiliated with Trump.”
“Tomorrow’s letter should read, ‘See you in court.’ Here’s another piece of evidence that no law, no rule, no code constrains this candidate and this campaign one whit. #Contumacious is the 2019 word [and sentiment] of the year.”
Prince is just one of several musicians who have barred Trump from using their music. When Rihanna discovered the president played her 2008 hit “Please Don’t Stop the Music” during a 2018 rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she tweeted, “Not for much longer…me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies.”
And Rih’s “Lemonade” collaborator Pharrell Williams has also prohibited Trump from using his hit song “Happy,” which Trump blared at a MAGA rally in Murphysboro, Illinois, last October.
