Leonard Cohen estate rejects Trump's use of 'Hallelujah'
The family blocked the song at a June 24 rally in Washington—the second time they've denied the campaign use of Cohen's work.
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The Leonard Cohen Estate has issued a second condemnation of the Trump campaign's use of "Hallelujah" after the song was performed at the "Freedom 250" rally in Washington on June 24.
Master Gunnery Sergeant Kevin Bennear and American tenor Christopher Macchio performed the track. The estate responded with a public statement: "The Leonard Cohen Estate has learned that the song 'Hallelujah' is to be performed at a Donald Trump rally on June 24. This use is not authorized, and the Estate does not support or approve of this or any similar usage."
This is not the first time. In 2020, the estate declined a request from the Trump campaign to use the song at the Republican National Convention—but the campaign used it anyway. The estate then issued a statement expressing dismay over the "rather brazen attempt to politicize and exploit in such an egregious manner 'Hallelujah.'" They suggested the campaign use a different Cohen song instead: "You Want It Darker."
