Rufus Wainwright recently took to social media to express his deep unhappiness over the unauthorized use of his beloved song, Hallelujah, at a Donald Trump rally. As a highly acclaimed artist known for his soul-stirring tracks like Dream Requiem and Going to a Town, Wainwright made it clear that he does not support the Republican presidential nominee.
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Wainwright shared his disappointment over the incident that took place on October 14 at a town hall in Oaks, Pennsylvania. According to NPR, what started as a simple Q&A session quickly turned into what they described as a “bizarre musical event.” Trump was reportedly seen enjoying an array of songs played at the rally, including Wainwright’s Hallelujah cover.
For those unfamiliar with the song, Hallelujah is a cover of Leonard Cohen’s 1984 masterpiece that speaks of peace, love, and the acceptance of truth. Wainwright expressed his dismay at the song being used in such a context, calling it “the height of blasphemy.” Despite his strong feelings on the matter, Wainwright expressed a glimmer of hope that perhaps Trump, by truly listening to the lyrics of Cohen’s song, might feel some semblance of remorse for his actions.
In a bold move, the publishing company representing Leonard Cohen’s estate has issued a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump campaign for their unauthorized use of the song. Wainwright made it clear in his post that he stands firmly with Kamala Harris, emphasizing his support for her in the upcoming election.
Meanwhile, reports from PEOPLE detailed Trump’s unusual behavior at the rally, where he was seen dancing on stage for an extended period, ignoring the audience and urging supporters to vote on January 5 instead of the correct date, November 5.
Despite the disappointment and frustration felt by Wainwright, his unwavering commitment to his beliefs and values shines through in his poignant message. His music, filled with emotion and meaning, serves as a powerful reminder of the impact art can have in times of uncertainty and discord.
