Rock Band Blue Öyster Cult Responds to Unauthorized Use of Their Song by Donald Trump

Recently, former President Donald Trump utilized the iconic track “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult in an AI-generated video that appeared on his Truth Social platform. The video, designed to mock Democratic figures, displayed Trump animatedly playing a cowbell, while fabricated lyrics were superimposed on the screen, altering the original message of the song.

In response to this unapproved usage, Blue Öyster Cult promptly issued a public statement to clarify their position and the copyright details surrounding the song. The band made it clear that they had not been informed prior to the video’s release and had no hand in its creation.

“The copyright in the song ‘(Don’t Fear) The Reaper’ is 100% owned by SONY MUSIC,” stated the band in their release, emphasizing that they possess no legal authority to either permit or prohibit the use of the song, as those rights are exclusively controlled by Sony Music.

This incident is not isolated in Trump’s history, as numerous artists including Beyoncé, Adele, and the Foo Fighters have previously accused him of using their music without permission for political purposes. The recurrence of these accusations highlights ongoing tensions between artists and the former president regarding copyright issues and the use of popular music in political campaigns.

Moreover, Trump’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence to craft his social media presence has stirred concerns among celebrities and the public alike. For instance, a digitally altered image suggesting Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Trump circulated last year, prompting the singer to openly denounce the manipulation and express her support for Kamala Harris instead.

The misuse of AI and the potential for spreading misinformation have become significant concerns, leading to discussions about the ethical implications of AI in politics and media. As AI technology continues to evolve, its application in political strategies is likely to be scrutinized with calls for clearer regulations and standards.

As the debate over AI’s role in media and politics grows, so does the discourse on intellectual property rights in the digital age, underscored by incidents like the unauthorized use of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” in political content.