Céline Dion Criticizes Donald Trump’s Unauthorized Use of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at Montana Rally

Céline Dion’s team disapprove over the unauthorized use of her iconic song, “My Heart Will Go On,” at a recent Donald Trump rally in Montana. During the event on August 9, Trump’s campaign played a video of Dion performing the 1997 hit from the “Titanic” soundtrack, leading to a swift reaction from Dion’s representatives.

On August 10, Dion’s management and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., issued a statement condemning the campaign’s action. The statement, posted on Dion’s X (formerly Twitter) account, declared, “Today, Céline Dion’s management team and her record label became aware of the unauthorized use of her video, recording, and likeness at a Donald Trump/J.D. Vance rally in Montana.” It further emphasized that Dion did not approve or endorse this usage, ending with a rhetorical question, “…And really, THAT song?”

“I wrote this song because, as a veteran, I was disgusted that some people were allowed to be excluded from serving our country because they had access to political and financial privilege. I also wrote about wealthy people not paying their fair share of taxes,” Fogerty wrote at the time.

“Mr. Trump is a prime example of both of these issues. The fact that Mr. Trump also fans the flames of hatred, racism and fear while rewriting recent history, is even more reason to be troubled by his use of my song.”

This isn’t the first instance of an artist rejecting Trump’s use of their music. In 2020, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival sent a cease-and-desist letter to Trump’s campaign after the song “Fortunate Son” was used at rallies. Fogerty expressed his disapproval, citing Trump’s political and social stances.

Similarly, in 2020, Phil Collins’ team demanded Trump stop using “In the Air Tonight” at rallies, criticizing the use as insensitive given the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dion had previously declined Trump’s invitation to perform at his 2017 inauguration, underscoring her stance against the use of her music in political contexts. Other notable artists and estates, including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Tom Petty’s family, Leonard Cohen’s estate, and The Rolling Stones, have also opposed Trump’s use of their music.

This ongoing conflict highlights the tension between artists and political figures over the use of music for campaign purposes.