NEWS
Representatives for Leonard Cohen's estate have spoken out against the use of Hallelujah during a rally held by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening.
The event took place during the opening ceremony of the Great American State Fair at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where Trump welcomed attendees as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Before the event began, a spokesperson for the late singer's estate shared a statement on Instagram condemning plans to include a performance of Cohen's 1984 classic.
"The Leonard Cohen Estate has learned that the song Hallelujah is to be performed at a Donald Trump rally on June 24," the statement read. "This use is not authorized, and the Estate does not support or approve of this or any similar usage."
The statement ended with a reference to one of Trump's familiar social media sign offs, adding: "Thank you for your attention to this matter."
The rally featured military flyovers, ceremonial displays, performances by The President's Own United States Marine Band, the U.S. Army Band Pershing's Own, Armed Forces choirs, along with special appearances from Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio.
However, based on a video shared on X, Trump and members of his administration appeared to proceed despite the estate's objections. The footage showed Macchio performing Hallelujah alongside Marine Band Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bennear, followed by a B 2 Bomber flyover.
Representatives for the Canadian singer songwriter, who died in 2016 at the age of 82, have not issued any further comments.
Earlier this month, after several artists withdrew from the original Freedom 250 concerts, Trump posted on Truth Social promising audiences the "greatest music ever played" during the celebrations.
"We will have the fabulous Lee Greenwood introducing me with what has turned out to be one of the Greatest Hits of All Time, GOD BLESS THE U.S.A., and the amazing Christopher Macchio, who will sing Nessun Dorma, Hallelujah, Ave Maria, God Bless America, and others. Not since the legendary Luciano Pavarotti has there been such a voice!" the 80 year old wrote at the time.
