The Tom Petty estate has issued a formal cease and desist letter to President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, protesting the use of the late singer’s music.
Specifically at issue is the use of Tom Petty’s 1989 radio single “I Won’t Back Down” during Trump’s 20 June rally in Tulsa.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Petty’s family said that the campaign “was in no way authorized to use this song to further a campaign that leaves too many Americans and common sense behind.”
“Tom Petty would never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate,” the message continued. “He liked to bring people together.”
The statement was signed by Tom Petty’s widow Dana Petty, his daughters Adria and Annakim, and their mother Jane.
Various musicians have in the past attempted to prevent the Trump campaign from using their music during events. In 2015, Neil Young claimed that then-candidate Trump had not been given permission to use “Rockin’ in the Free World” during his presidential campaign announcement.
Other musicians who have denounced the Trump campaign’s use of their music include Rihanna, Elton John, Adele, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Guns N Roses, Prince, RM, Aerosmith and Earth Wind and Fire.
