It seems Donald Trump cares about intellectual property about as much as he cares about minorities and the working class with the reality television star once again in trouble over using someone’s music without asking – this time R.E.M.‘s End Of The World.
Frontman Michael Stipe was quick to respond to the news with the following official statement/heinous burn.
Go fuck yourselves, the lot of you–you sad, attention grabbing, power-hungry little men. Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign.
The band’s official statement however was a little more legalese than top notch insults, demanding that Trump cease and desist from using the band’s music as well as urging media outlets to focus on the issues on the election and not let this incident overshadow the real issues.
“While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates cease and desist from doing so, let us remember that there are things of greater importance at stake here. The media and the American voter should focus on the bigger picture, and not allow grandstanding politicians to distract us from the pressing issues of the day and of the current Presidential campaign.”
The incident follows another earlier this year where the reality television star and Real Estate heir used Neil Young‘s Rockin in The Free World as part of one of his rallies. Rather than learn his lesson though, it would seem the man most famous for his laws of science and man defying hair has decided to keep on making the same mistake, not only failing to ask permission to use people’s art in his campaign, but also generally choosing music made by people famously opposed to his brand of conservative pro corporation anti-immigration politics.
Also, one wonders why he chose the song, seeing as though it seems to imply he is the harbinger of the apocalypse, heralding the end of the world as we know it.
Watch the event in question below.
Personally, I think the Orange Clown will do anything for attention. I hate giving it to him.
— Sweet Daddy Cool ✌️?? ?⚾️?? (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
The R.E.M. statement will be regarding Trump's use of our song. Nothing more than that!
— Sweet Daddy Cool ✌️?? ?⚾️?? (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
Upcoming is Michael's statement about Trump using our song at the rally. His opinions are HIS, please do not tweet angry responses at me.
— Sweet Daddy Cool ✌️?? ?⚾️?? (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
"Go fuck yourselves, the lot of you–you sad, attention grabbing, power-hungry little men. Do not use our music or my voice for your 1)
— Sweet Daddy Cool ✌️?? ?⚾️?? (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
…moronic charade of a campaign."–Michael Stipe
— Sweet Daddy Cool ✌️?? ?⚾️?? (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
"While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates…
Posted by R.E.M. on Wednesday, 9 September 2015
