ABBA are the latest act to call on former President Donald J. Trump to stop playing their music at his events. According to Sweden’s Svenska Dagbladet, the Republican presidential candidate and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance, played the Swedish pop group’s “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes It All,” and “Dancing Queen” at a rally in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in July.
Now, ABBA’s label, Universal Music Group, is saying the politicians were not permitted to use the music. “Together with the members of ABBA, we have discovered that videos have been released where ABBA’s music/videos has been used at Trump events, and we have therefore requested that such use be immediately taken down and removed,” the label wrote, according to The Guardian. “Universal Music Publishing AB and Polar Music International AB have not received any request, so no permission or license has been given to Trump.”
ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus reportedly added, “Our record company Universal makes sure it is taken down.”
In each of his three presidential runs, Trump has faced backlash for the music he’s played at events. He’s notably made enemies of Neil Young, the Smiths’ Johnny Marr, and more. Additionally, in recent weeks, Celine Dion has denounced the former president’s usage of “My Heart Will Go On”; the estate of the late Isaac Hayes has threatened legal action over the use of “Hold On, I’m Coming”; Beyoncé has reportedly warned Trump about playing “Freedom”; and Foo Fighters have claimed that “My Hero” is being played impermissibly at rallies.
