The Foo Fighters have once again found themselves in the middle of a political dispute after their 1997 hit “My Hero” was used at a Donald Trump rally without their consent. The incident took place in Glendale, Arizona, where the former president welcomed independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy.
However, what caught everyone’s attention was the band’s quick and strong response.
Fans of the Foo Fighters raised concerns on social media when they heard “My Hero” playing during the event. In response to an inquiry on X (formerly Twitter), asking whether the band had approved Trump’s use of the song, the Foo Fighters flatly replied, “No.” In a public statement, the band elaborated: “We were not asked for permission, and if we had been, we would have refused.”
The band took it a step further by announcing that any royalties generated from the unauthorized use of the song would be donated to the Kamala Harris campaign. They also confirmed that “appropriate actions” were being taken to address the situation.
This is far from the first time Donald Trump’s campaign has come under fire for using music without permission. Several high-profile artists, including Beyoncé and Celine Dion, have also taken a stand against the use of their music at Trump rallies. Dion’s team recently responded after her track “My Heart Will Go On” was played at a rally, clarifying that the usage was “in no way authorized.”
In the Foo Fighters’ case, this isn’t even their first run-in with a Republican politician using “My Hero.” Back in 2008, the band publicly called out Senator John McCain’s campaign for using the song without permission. At that time, they expressed their disappointment, stating that the track was meant to celebrate the extraordinary potential of everyday people, not to be used for political purposes.
The issue highlights a broader trend of artists voicing their frustration over the unauthorized use of their music at political events. In addition to Céline Dion and Foo Fighters, other artists such as Phil Collins, Sinéad O’Connor’s estate, and Tom Petty’s estate have all filed complaints or issued statements to distance themselves from Trump’s campaign.
Foo Fighters’ frontman, Dave Grohl, has been a vocal advocate for ensuring that the band’s music isn’t misrepresented. As the band continues their successful career, they’ve made it clear that they will not hesitate to push back when their work is used in ways that conflict with their values.
