"The song 'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen has become an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of the truth," Wainwright said in a statement posted on Instagram. "I've been supremely honored over the years to be connected with this ode to tolerance. Witnessing Trump and his supporters commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy. Of course, I in no way condone this and was mortified, but the good in me hopes that perhaps in inhabiting and really listening to the lyrics of Cohen's masterpiece, Donald Trump just might experience a hint of remorse over what he's caused. I'm not holding my breath."
In a coda to the statement, Wainwright added on IG, "And needless to say: I am all in for Kamala!"
Wainwright's Instagram post also states, "The publishing company for the Leonard Cohen estate has sent the Trump campaign a cease and desist letter."
About 30 minutes into the town hall in Oaks, Pennsylvania, after two audience members apparently fainted and required medical attention, Trump halted the Q&A portion of the event and instead awkwardly stood and swayed for about 39 minutes as his rally playlist unspooled. The song roster included a couple versions of "Ave Maria," Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," The Village People's "YMCA," James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man'sWorld," Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North Of Richmond," Elvis Presley's "An American Trilogy," "November Rain" by Guns N' Roses, "Memory" from Cats and, of course, Wainwright's take on "Hallelujah."
"Let's make this a musical fest," Trump said. "Who the hell wants to hear questions?"
The incident quickly became headline news, drawing responses ranging from baffled amusement to questions about his mental health. Not surprisingly, Trump himself called the night "amazing!" while rival presidential candidate Kamala Harris shade-tweeted, "Hope he's okay."
Wainwright certainly isn't the first musical artist to object to Trump's appropriation of their tunes. The estate of O'Connor called for an end to the use of "Nothing Compares 2 U," Dave Grohl demanded a stop to the use of Foo Fighters' "My Hero," Celine Dion's management and record company objected to the candidate's playing Dion's Titanic hit "My Heart Will Go On," and Trump's campaign stopped using Sam and Dave's "Hold On, I'm Coming" after the family of the song's later writer Isaac Hayes threatened a copyright suit.
In 2020, the Rolling Stones threatened to sue Trump for using "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Also that year, Andrew Lloyd Webber's UK-based company Really Useful Group reportedly sent Trump a cease-and-desist letter over the use of "Memory" from Cats, widely regarded as one of Trump's favorite songs.
"Excellent news!!," tweeted singer-actor Betty Buckley, who played the "Memory"-singing role of Grizabella in the original 1982 Broadway production of Cats. "Thanks to you guys!! Hippetyhaw!!"
The version of "Memory" played as Trump departed the rally in Oak last night was not by Betty Buckley.
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