ABBA, the Swedish supergroup known for hits like “Waterloo” and “The Winner Takes It All,” has requested that Donald Trump stop using their music at campaign rallies. The band stated that they did not grant permission for their music to be used at Trump events and have requested the removal of any content featuring their music. Despite this, the Trump campaign claims to have obtained a license to use ABBA’s music through agreements with performing rights organizations ASCAP and BMI.
This request from ABBA is part of a larger trend of artists objecting to the use of their music by political figures. In the past, artists like Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, and Beyoncé have also asked Trump to stop using their songs at rallies and in campaign videos. Celine Dion and Adele have made similar requests in the past, illustrating a widespread issue of artists wanting to distance themselves from political figures by restricting the use of their music at events.
The controversy surrounding ABBA’s music being used at Trump rallies was brought to light by Swedish daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, which reported on the unauthorized use of the band’s songs at a rally in Minnesota. Videos of ABBA’s music being played at Trump events have also surfaced, leading to the band’s request for the removal of such content. ABBA, who have had multiple Billboard Hot 100 hits in the past, released a comeback album titled “Voyage” in 2021, marking a return to the music scene after years of hiatus.
Despite the backlash from ABBA and other artists, campaigns are not 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. This loophole allows political organizations and venues to play a wide range of music without seeking individual approval from artists. However, the use of popular songs by artists like ABBA at political events can lead to conflicts and requests for removal, as seen in the case of the band’s objection to their music being used by the Trump campaign.
In the larger context of artists pushing back against the use of their music in political settings, the case of ABBA and Donald Trump adds to a growing list of conflicts between musicians and political figures. The issue of copyright and intellectual property rights becomes a focal point in these disputes, as artists seek to control how their music is used and associated with certain ideologies. As the debate continues, artists like ABBA will likely continue to assert their rights and request that their music not be used in ways that conflict with their values and beliefs.
