Published 12:09 IST, October 11th 2019
Prince Estate calls out Trump for using 'Purple Rain' in his campaign
The estate of Prince Rogers Nelson objected to the US President as he violated a legal agreement by playing Prince song before a campaign rally in Minneapolis.
United States President Donald Trump violated a legal agreement on October 10 by playing Prince's song before a campaign rally in Minneapolis. The estate of Prince Rogers Nelson objected to the US President and released a statement after the rally that confirmed that back in 2018 the campaign was refrained from using Prince's Purple Rain or any other Prince music in connection with campaign rallies or other events. The official Twitter account that celebrates the life and legacy of the music legend further claimed that the Prince Estate would never give permission to President Trump to use any of his songs.
Protesters in Minneapolis
Protesters in Minneapolis got into a brief tiff with police outside the campaign rally as they reportedly set President Trump's hats on fire. While some protesters wore masks other chanted “hands up, don't shoot!”. President Trump has criticized Minnesota for accepting large numbers of refugees from Somalia and claims that the city and the state have allowed refugees without considering the impact on schools, communities, and taxpayers. He further described Somali resettlement as “the disaster taking place in Minnesota”. The protesters packed the streets surrounding the Target center. The site of Trump's rally is also across the city's first Avenue nightclub where much of Prince's movie Purple Rain was filmed.
'Cease and Desist'
The Trump campaign has reportedly played music by the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and some other artists since the US President began running for the office in 2015. One of the campaigns played Living on the Edge at a rally in August 2018, when one of the group singers, Steven Tyler reportedly sent a 'cease and desist' letter through his attorney to the White House. President Trump was allegedly accused of willful infringement in broadcasting the song. Tyler's attorney contended that playing an Aerosmith song in one of his campaigns gives a false impression that Tyler is endorsing Trump's presidency.
(With inputs from AP)
Updated 13:58 IST, October 11th 2019