They’ve made it clear they don’t like his ideas.
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Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler sent a cease-and-desist letter to the White House this week demanding that President Donald Trump stop playing the band’s songs during his rallies.
Tyler sent the letter through his lawyer, writing that by playing Aerosmith’s music at his rallies, Trump may be confusing the audience into believing that Tyler supports or endorses the president.
The letter, which was first reported by Variety, came after the president played Aerosmith’s hit “Livin‘ on the Edge” for his crowd in Charleston, West Virginia, before a rally Tuesday night.
CNN’s Jim Acosta posted a short video of the crowd with the song blaring in the background, and the clip quickly made the rounds online — apparently at some point reaching Tyler.
The scene in WV before Trump’s rally. Aerosmith’s “Livin’ on the edge” playing. pic.twitter.com/HW1qr9TBgE
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 21,2018
This isn’t the first time Aerosmith has told Trump to stop playing its music at his rallies. In 2015, while he was on the campaign trail, Tyler told Trump to stop playing “Dream On,” and the band’s performance rights organization even pulled the public rights for the song. He filed a cease-and-desist letter during that instance as well.
In response, Trump criticized Tyler on Twitter:
Even though I have the legal right to use Steven Tyler’s song, he asked me not to. Have better one to take its place!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14,2015
Aerosmith isn’t the only group to tell the president that it doesn’t want him playing its music at his rallies. Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger has said that he doesn’t like Trump playing his band’s songs but added that he can’t stop him, citing the public rights in America.
The Stones‘ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” became a Trump favorite while he was campaigning, and after Trump finished his speech in West Virginia, it was the first song to play.
Alex is a Washington DC based contributor. He is from Delaware and holds a degree in English from Salisbury University. Find him on Twitter @AlexThoma… more
