Mr. Trump’s campaign posted a campaign video using the song Freedom by singer Beyonce, but had to remove it after being accused of unauthorized use.

Steven Cheung, spokesman for former US President Donald Trump, on August 20 posted a video of Mr. Trump stepping out of a plane in Michigan, with Freedom music playing in the background. This is a song by singer Beyonce and is often used in the election activities of US Vice President Kamala Harris.

The record label and publisher of the song Freedom said Cheung and the Trump campaign did not ask Beyonce or her team for permission to use the song in the video, so they decided to file a complaint.

Singer Beyonce received the 2024 iHeartRadio music award in Hollywood, California, April 1. Photo: AFP

By August 22, the video was deleted by Cheung on his social network account.

Singer Beyonce has not commented on this information. American media reported that the female singer would perform at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on August 22, but Yvette Noel-Schure, Beyonce’s representative, denied it, saying she “did not schedule it.” to Chicago”. However, Beyonce’s songs were frequently played during the four days of the DNC.

Ms. Harris’s campaign team and her deputy Tim Walz put the song Freedom at the heart of the election campaign. They released their a cappella version at the DNC.

Ms. Harris also used the song in many campaign events. Her supporters often wear cowboy hats and scarves that say “Cowboy Kamala”, reminiscent of Beyonce’s 2024 album Cowboy Carter.

Freedom is on the singer’s 2016 album Lemonade, and has lyrics that are inconsistent with Mr. Trump’s campaign, but suitable for Ms. Harris’s campaign.

“I will go, I will march often. Paint the white flag blue”, are lyrics that make people think of Blue Ivy, Beyonce’s daughter, but blue is also considered the color of the Democratic Party.