Leonard Cohen‘s estate has hit out at Donald Trump for using ‘Hallelujah’ at a recent rally.
Yesterday (June 24), Trump held a rally at the Great American State Fair, which celebrated 250 years of the United States.
In response to plans to use Cohen’s classic song ‘Hallelujah’ at the rally, the Leonard Cohen posted a statement on social media.
“The Leonard Cohen Estate has learned that the song “Hallelujah” is to be performed at a Donald Trump rally on June 24,” they wrote. “This use is not authorized, and the Estate does not support or approve of this or any similar usage.”
In a nod to Trump’s own social media sign-offs, the statement ended with: “Thank you for your attention to this matter”.
Despite the estate’s statement, the song was sung at the rally anyway, accompanied by a B-2 Bomber fly-over.
WATCH: A Powerful Rendition of Hallelujah Performed by Christopher Maccio and Master Gunnery Sgt Kevin Bennear with a B-2 Bomber Fly-over – 06/24/26 pic.twitter.com/tkMTWz7eSZ
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) June 24, 2026
This is not the first time a Cohen song has been used at a Trump rally. In 2024, Rufus Wainwright spoke out against Trump’s use of his ‘Hallelujah’ cover at a rally, calling it “the height of blasphemy”.
“The song ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen has become an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of the truth,” Wainwright said via a press statement at the time. “I’ve been supremely honored over the years to be connected with this ode to tolerance. Witnessing Trump and his supporters commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy.”
Plenty of artists have taken aim at Trump’s usage of their songs without permission over the years. Trump played songs including ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ and ‘Start Me Up’ during his 2016 rallies, leading The Rolling Stones to request that he stop.
Olivia Rodrigo slammed ICE for using her music to soundtrack a “racist” self-deportation video in November 2025, with Sabrina Carpenter following suit a month later.
Other artists who have taken issue with Trump’s usage of their music without permission include Adele, Neil Young, Steven Tyler, Jack White, the estate of Isaac Hayes, Eddie Grant, Kenny Loggins, ABBA, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, Boards of Canada and more.
Elsewhere, Ariana Grande has hit out at White House for using her music in a “barbaric” and “inhumane” ICE video.
