The world's longest-lived rock band, the iconic Rolling Stones, is threatening to sue President Donald Trump and his campaign for continuing to use their songs at his rallies despite cease-and desist-orders.
In a statement Sunday, the Stones said their lawyers are working with BMI Foundation, Inc., the non-profit music rights organization, to stop use of their songs in Trump's reelection campaign.
They said BMI has notified the Trump campaign on their behalf the unauthorized use of their songs will constitute a breach of its licensing agreement. They pointed out if "Donald Trump disregards the exclusion and persists, then he would face a lawsuit for breaking the embargo and playing music that has not been licensed."
The British rock band, which was formed back in 1962, also said Trump has continued to use their hit paean to the 1960s, "You Can't Always Get What You Want," at campaign rallies despite their previously issuing cease-and-desist directives against Trump and his campaign.
For some reason, this classic from 1969 written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards is popular with the Trump campaign. It was played again at the close of Trump's recent rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 20, Trump's first campaign of the coronavirus era.
"This could be the last time Trump uses any Jagger/Richards songs on his campaigns," said the Stones through their lawyers.
The Stones have warned Trump before not to use their music at his rallies without their permission. They complained during Trump's 2016 campaign about the use of their songs at his rallies. They were ignored and Trump's campaign continued to use their music without permission.
"You Can't Always Get What You Want" is listed as one of the Stones' top 10 greatest hits along with "Gimme Shelter," "Sympathy for the Devil," "Paint It, Black," "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Wild Horses."
The Stones aren't the only musicians to complain about the Trump campaign's using their music without permission. The family of the late rock musician Tom Petty issued a cease-and-desist order after Trump used the song "I Won't Back Down" in Tulsa.
They said Trump "was in no way authorized to use this song to further a campaign that leaves too many Americans and common sense behind." They pointed out Tom Petty's strong opposition to racism and discrimination of any kind. They also said Tom Petty "would never want a song of his to be used in a campaign of hate. He liked to bring people together."
