The Rolling Stones are threatening to sue President Trump if he does not stop playing the band’s songs at his rallies.
The band announced over the weekend that it is working with the music rights group BMI to consider possible legal action against the president’s reelection campaign.
“The BMI have notified the Trump campaign on behalf of the Stones that the unauthorized use of their songs will constitute a breach of its licensing agreement,” the Rolling Stones said in a statement. “If Donald Trump disregards the exclusion and persists, then he would face a lawsuit for breaking the embargo and playing music that has not been licensed.’’
The 1969 song “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” has been played at Trump’s rallies in recent years, including last week during a controversial event in Tulsa.
Other musicians and their associates have similarly demanded the Trump campaign stop using their songs at his events, such as the family of the late rocker Tom Petty.
“Trump was in no way authorised to use this song to further a campaign that leaves too many Americans and common sense behind,’’ the family said in a statement. “Both the late Tom Petty and his family firmly stand against racism and discrimination of any kind. Tom Petty would never want a song of his to be used in a campaign of hate. He liked to bring people together.’’
