Swedish supergroup ABBA has requested that Donald Trump cease using their music at campaign rallies, asserting the use was unauthorized. The band stated their objection to The Associated Press, emphasizing that they did not grant permission for their music to be played at Trump events and have requested its removal.
In response, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign claimed they had the proper authorization to play ABBA’s music under a license obtained through agreements with BMI and ASCAP.
ABBA is the latest in a string of artists who have raised concerns about Trump using their music at his events, joining the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Phil Collins, and others who have objected to their songs being featured in his campaign rallies.
Per regulations, political campaigns do not necessarily need explicit approval from artists to play their music at events, as long as they hold a blanket license from performance rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI.
Reports from Swedish daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet indicated that ABBA’s music was heard at a Trump rally in Minnesota, further reinforcing the band’s complaint about unauthorized use of their songs.
ABBA, known for hits like “Waterloo” and “The Winner Takes It All,” returned with a new album titled “Voyage” in 2021, after achieving success with numerous songs on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the 1970s and 1980s.
