Music legend's estate refuses to let Trump play his music at the Freedom 250 rally
People hold an America 250 banner with images of George Washington, the first U.S. president, and U.S. President Donald Trump near the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 23, 2026. REUTERS/Aaron Schwartz REFILE - ADDING TITLE TO GEORGE WASHINGTON
The estate of Leonard Cohen shut down President Donald Trump's plans to feature the song "Hallelujah" at the Great American State Fair on June 24, announcing via Facebook that the use was unauthorized.
For weeks, Trump promoted Christopher Macchio's performance of the 1984 Cohen classic at the rally. But the late artist's estate published on Facebook, "The Leonard Cohen Estate has learned that the song 'Hallelujah' is to be performed at a Donald Trump rally on June 24," the post read.
"This use is not authorized, and the Estate does not support or approve of this or any similar usage. Thank you for your attention to this matter," according to The Daily Beast.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cohen, a Canadian musician, died in 2016.
His estate joined multiple musicians who withdrew their performances at Trump's rally. Among them were Martina McBride, the Commodores, Young MC, and Bret Michaels.
Performers who remained included Flo Rida, Vanilla Ice, country music artist and FBI Director Kash Patel's girlfriend Alexis Wilkins, and country artist Lee Greenwood, who performed "God Bless the U.S.A." as military jets overhead.
