Donald Trump’s Rally Hits a Sour Note With Céline Dion

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again found himself at odds with the music industry, this time involving Céline Dion and her iconic hit ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from the ‘Titanic’ soundtrack. During a rally held in Bozeman, Montana, a video featuring Dion’s 1997 classic was played, much to the displeasure of the singer and her team.

Dion’s management swiftly responded, taking to her X account (formerly known as Twitter). They issued a clear and direct statement addressing the unauthorised use of her video, recording, performance, and likeness at the Trump rally. The statement, which also involved her record label Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., stressed that the use was in no way sanctioned and emphasised that Dion does not endorse the event or the use of her material.

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The statement read, “In no way is this use authorised, and Céline Dion does not endorse this or any similar use.” It concluded with a pointed question directed at the Trump campaign: “…And really, THAT song?”

This incident isn’t the first time Céline Dion has distanced herself from Trump. Back in 2017, she notably declined an invitation to perform at his presidential inauguration, a request made by Las Vegas casino mogul Steve Wynn. Trump’s team had been confident in securing Dion for the event, but she promptly refused, making her stance on the matter crystal clear.

Trump has faced similar backlash from other musicians throughout his political career. In 2020, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival issued a cease-and-desist letter when Trump’s campaign used ‘Fortunate Son’ during events. Fogerty highlighted that the song was a critique of those who used political and financial privilege to avoid military service and pay taxes, a sentiment he felt Trump embodied.

Phil Collins also found himself embroiled in a dispute with Trump’s campaign in 2020, after his hit ‘In The Air Tonight’ was played at a rally in Iowa. His team demanded that the use of the song be stopped immediately. Céline Dion now joins a growing list of artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty’s family, Leonard Cohen’s estate, Neil Young, and The Rolling Stones, who have all objected to Trump using their music.