Beyoncé has threatened to send a cease-and-desist to the Trump campaign after the former president posted a clip of her “Freedom” — Kamala Harris’ unofficial campaign song — in a video posted on social media, Rolling Stone has learned.
A source close to Beyoncé tells Rolling Stone that the Trump campaign did not receive permission to use the Lemonade track in the 13-second video of Trump getting off a plane in Michigan that Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung posted Tuesday.
As of press time Wednesday, the video was still up on Cheung’s X account despite her label issuing the cease-and-desist.
On Monday, the Harris-Walz campaign debuted a new ad soundtracked by “Freedom,” with actor Jeffrey Wright providing the narration, “What kind of America do we want?” he asks.
“One where we’re divided, angry, depressed?
Nobody loves it more.” Trending Harris has been using “Freedom” — with Beyoncé’s permission — since her presidential campaign began earlier this summer (following Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection).
At her first public appearance after securing Biden’s endorsement, Harris walked out to the podium while “Freedom” played.
And not long after, her campaign dropped an official launch video featuring the song.
After the former president shared a video of Beyoncé performing her unofficial campaign song, “Freedom,” featuring Kamala Harris on social media, Rolling Stone has learned that Beyoncé has threatened to send a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign.
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung uploaded a 13-second video on Tuesday showing Trump stepping off a plane in Michigan. However, according to a source close to Beyoncé, the campaign did not have permission to use the Lemonade song in that clip.
Cheung’s label issued a cease-and-desist, but as of Wednesday at press time, the video remained live on her X account.
A new ad for the Harris-Walz campaign was released on Monday. It features the song “Freedom” as the soundtrack, and actor Jeffrey Wright narrates. “What kind of America do we want?” he asks. “One in which we’re depressed, furious, and divided? Come on! We’re Americans! Fascism? We overcame it!”. The moon touched down on it. Making the future happen. Who loves freedom more than anyone? “.
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Following Joe Biden’s announcement that he would not run for reelection earlier this summer, Harris has been using “Freedom” for her presidential campaign with Beyoncé’s approval. Harris walked up to the podium as “Freedom” was playing at her first public event following her endorsement by Biden. Shortly after, the song was featured in an official launch video released by her campaign.
