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Rihanna in New York on Sept. 13.
After learning that Trump played her 2007 hit “Don’t Stop the Music” at his Chattanooga, Tenn., rally on Sunday, the hitmaker’s legal team sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump’s White House counsel Emmet Flood saying as much — and accusing POTUS of copyright infringement.
“It has come to our attention that President Donald Trump has utilized Ms. Fenty’s musical compositions and master recordings, including her hit track ‘Don’t Stop the Music,’ in connection with a number of political events held across the United States,” according to Monday’s letter, which The Times has obtained.
The Barbadian artist, real name Robyn Fenty, has “not provided her consent” for Trump to use her music and “such use is therefore improper,” the letter added. It also said that Rihanna “will not grant” Trump the requisite authorization or permission to publicly perform or otherwise broadcast or disseminate any of her music.
RiRi’s attorney, Jordan M. Siev, argued that Trump’s unauthorized use of her music “has created the false impression” that she supports and endorses him and that she provided her consent for him to use her work. The use has also “caused confusion among her fan base as to her political support and affiliation,” Siev wrote.
The nine-time Grammy winner is the latest artist attempting to bar the Republican president from using her music at his events. Pharrell Williams, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and the Prince estate have also issued similar warnings to the Trump administration.
On Tuesday, Rihanna, who endorsed Democrat Andrew Gillum in the Florida gubernatorial race, tweeted about the midterm elections, calling election day “the most important day for the rest of your lives.”
“If you’re tired of complaining about the state of the country and government, get up and #VOTE!!!” the 30-year-old tweeted.
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