Cohen Estate Object To Trump’s Use Of His Song At Freedom 250

Leonard Cohen’s estate says it did not authorize US President Donald Trump’s planned use of his song ‘Hallelujah’ at his Freedom 250 rally. In a statement, the estate said that it “has learned that the song ‘Hallelujah’ is to be performed at a Donald Trump rally on June 24.” The estate added that the use was “not authorized” and that it does not “support or approve of this or any similar usage.” Cohen’s estate previously raised concerns in 2020 after Trump’s campaign used a cover of ‘Hallelujah’ at the Republican National Convention. Last month, several artists, including Bret Michaels and Martina McBride, withdrew from the Freedom 250 concert series after learning of organizers’ ties to Trump. Trump later announced replacement performers Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio, who are scheduled to sing tracks including ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘Hallelujah.’ This comes after Trump revealed that his own rally will headline this year's July Fourth celebrations, marking the nation's 250th anniversary.