A viral video featuring Celine Dion‘s Oscar-winning “Titanic” song at a recent Donald Trump–J.D. Vance rally has sparked controversy. The Grammy-winning singer's management and Sony Music Entertainment Canada quickly responded, issuing a statement about “the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On'” at the campaign event in Montana.
They firmly stated, “in no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use.”
The team couldn't help but point out the irony of using a song from a film about a major naval disaster at a political gathering.
“…And really, THAT song?” they concluded, echoing the flood of sinking ship jokes on social media. Kamala Harris' team, a Democratic Presidential candidate, has also seized the opportunity presented by the viral performance video, which can be viewed online.
This isn't the first time “My Heart Will Go On” has been played at a Trump event. It was heard at a Nov. 1, 2020, rally in North Carolina during the final days of the Presidential campaign. The next morning, The View panel had a laugh about it, with host Whoopi Goldberg remarking, “The irony is just magnificent.”
Co-host Sara Haines added, “That does not bode well for anyone.”
The song also made appearances at a June 2021 Trump rally in North Carolina and was on the playlist for the Jan. 6, 2021, MAGA event in Washington DC featuring Trump, which preceded the Capitol storming.
A question arises about the legality of playing such songs at free events. Some argue that because there's no entry fee for these rallies, it might be permissible to use others' music. This stems from past experiences of bands and DJs playing at various free events without facing legal issues.
However, this situation differs from a random party. Trump can't use unlicensed music for these events, and if Dion doesn't want her music linked to him, he's not allowed to play it.
Some commenters suggest Trump should try using an unauthorized Taylor Swift song, implying he'd quickly learn not to use songs without permission again.
Questions have been raised about Dion's uniqueness compared to other artists or corporate entities, with some responding sarcastically about the obvious differences between public figures.
Jokes about the appropriateness of the Titanic theme for Trump's campaign have circulated, with some hoping it's a sign of things to come for him.
Others point out the irony of Republicans playing Village People songs while trying to reduce LGBTQ+ rights, or CCR's “Fortunate Son,” which criticizes privileged individuals avoiding military service.
Some argue that no one actually believes playing music at an event implies the musicians' endorsement of the candidate. However, others counter that artists themselves don't want any assumption of endorsement, especially given Trump's controversial reputation.
Critics accuse Republicans of disregarding copyrights and viewing license fees as unnecessary.
The use of unauthorized music at political events continues to be a contentious issue, highlighting the intersection of entertainment, politics, and intellectual property rights. As campaigns progress, more such incidents are likely to occur, prompting further debate about the appropriate use of popular music in political contexts.
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