Donald Trump thumbed his nose Monday night at a warning not to use "We are the Champions" at his political appearances.
The presumptive GOP presidential nominee blared the beloved 1977 rock anthem over loudspeakers as he walked on stage to address the Republican National Convention [RNC] — despite a demand from Queen guitarist Brian May to stay away from it.
Last month,
May wrote on his website: "My personal reaction to Donald Trump using our music … We'd never give permission … I've had an avalanche of complaints … about Donald Trump using our 'We Are the Champions' track as his 'theme' song on [television].
"This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue.
"Regardless of our views on Mr. Trump's platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool. Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy."
During Monday's RNC appearance, Trump walked out from a huge plume of smoke as the song echoed through the huge Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
The use of popular rock songs by politicians is nothing new. Last month, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was slapped with a $25,000 fine for using "Eye of the Tiger," the inspirational "Rocky" theme song by Survivor.
Critics of Trump's use of "We are the Champions" point to the fact the song was penned and sung by Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury. Mercury was a gay man who died of AIDs complications in 1991 — an ironic tie in that many Republicans oppose same-sex marriage and equal rights for gays.
Asked by
TMZ if Mercury would have approved of Trump's lifting of his hit, Sting of "The Police" commented, "No."
During his presidential campaign in 1992, Bill Clinton used the Fleetwood Mac hit "Don't Stop," as his theme song without controversy.