Leonard Cohen estate condemns use of ‘Hallelujah’ at Trump event

Leonard Cohen’s estate is condemning the use of the late Montreal-born singer’s song “Hallelujah” at a campaign-style rally hosted by President Donald Trump for the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations.

The event was held Wednesday night on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and included a nearly 30-minute speech by Trump.

“The Leonard Cohen Estate has learned that the song ‘Hallelujah’ is to be performed at a Donald Trump rally on June 24. This use is not authorized, and the Estate does not support or approve of this or any similar usage,” the estate posted on its Instagram account on Wednesday before the event.

The post concluded with, “Thank you for your attention to this matter,” — the same phrase that Trump ends many of his posts with on his own social media account.

About 40 minutes into the rally, Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bennear and Christopher Macchio, an American tenor who often sings at Trump events, both performed a duet of “Hallelujah” in front of a large crowd.

After honouring America’s founding at the beginning of his speech, Trump turned to a number of accomplishments in his second term, making remarks about the Iran war, the U.S. military’s “flawless and breathtaking” capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, among other topics.

It’s not the first time Trump has come under fire for unauthorized use of artists’ songs at his rallies, and not the first time he’s used the Cohen song.

The Cohen estate objected to the use of the song at the Republican National Convention in 2020, and Rufus Wainwright said he was “horrified” to learn that his cover of the Cohen song was used in 2024.

In 2024, Quebec icon Celine Dion and music label Sony disavowed the use of “My Heart Will Go On” at a Trump and J.D. Vance rally.

“In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?” her team posted on the singer’s social media accounts on Aug. 10, 2024.

Pop star Sabrina Carpenter also denounced the Trump administration for using her song “Juno” in a video montage showing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

“This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” Carpenter wrote in a post on X last December.

Other artists, including the Foo Fighters, Abba, and Queen have also demanded Trump’s team stop using their music at his events.

With files from The Associated Press