Celine Dion; Donald Trump. Emma McIntyre/Getty; James Devaney/GC Images
Celine Dion’s music may be timeless, but its use at Donald Trump’s rallies is something she won’t tolerate. On Saturday, the Canadian singer issued a statement on Instagram, denouncing the unauthorized use of her iconic song “My Heart Will Go On” at a recent Trump campaign rally. The post, made by Dion’s management team and Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., expressed their disapproval, stating, “Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana. In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use.”
The statement ended with a pointed question: “…And really, THAT song?”
Dion’s response comes as no surprise. “My Heart Will Go On,” the Oscar-winning theme from James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster Titanic, is widely associated with the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Fans quickly noted the irony in the song’s use at a campaign event, with one commenting it was “the perfect song to play for that sinking ship.”
This isn’t the first clash between Dion and Trump. In 2016, reports suggested she was asked to perform at Trump’s inauguration, but she declined. A representative for Steve Wynn, who allegedly suggested Dion for the event, later clarified that Wynn “was not asked to book specific performers for the inauguration, nor did he ever make a commitment to find specific performers.” Instead, Trump’s inauguration featured performances by acts like 3 Doors Down, Toby Keith, and Lee Greenwood.
Dion now joins a long list of artists who have publicly objected to Trump using their music at his rallies. In April, the estate of Sinéad O’Connor condemned the use of her 1990 hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” stating that Sinéad would have been “disgusted, hurt, and insulted.” Other artists who have protested Trump’s use of their music include Pharrell, Johnny Marr, Adele, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Neil Young, Rihanna, Ozzy Osbourne, Nickelback, Linkin Park, the Rolling Stones, Village People, Panic! at the Disco, Queen, R.E.M, and the estates of Tom Petty, Laura Branigan, Prince, and George Harrison. Despite these objections, Trump continues to play many of their songs at his events without permission.
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