A source close to Mick Jagger has denied that he gave the producers of Melania permission to use The Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’ in the documentary.
Producer Marc Beckman said earlier this week that the band’s frontman approved of the song’s use, in contrast to Guns N’ Roses, Grace Jones and Prince’s estate, who all refused.
He told Variety that Jagger “was actually involved” and “gave his blessing”, but a source close to the rock icon said, per The Guardian, that he felt scepticism was required as the producer was attempting to promote the documentary.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for The Rolling Stones also told the newspaper that the band did not liaise with Beckman over the use of the track in the film – the deal was made between the producers and music company ABKCO, which owns the rights to the band’s pre-1971 material.
The film, which follows First Lady Melania Trump in the 20 days leading up to President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, opens in his Mar-a-Lago resort using ‘Gimme Shelter’ as the soundtrack.
Beckman claimed about The Rolling Stones, “We worked very close with them on that. And that wasn’t a political thing. With the Stones, they were just like, ‘Oh, you’re making a nice movie.’ They were able to get over the hurdle. It’s not politics – it’s just some story about some woman that is going from being a civilian back into the White House, and this movie looks cool and Brett [Ratner, director] is doing a cool job and Melania Trump is focused, and let’s do it. We showed it to them and they were impressed.”
The Stones have previously objected to the use of their music in Trump rallies, too, alongside Guns N’ Roses, Jones, Prince’s estate, Foo Fighters, ABBA, Adele, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, R.E.M, Jack White and Celine Dion.
Artists Who Don’t Want Donald Trump Using Their Music
From Céline Dion to Neil Young, Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, these musicians have demanded that the former president stop playing their songs at events
Lots of artists have drawn the line when it comes to Donald Trump. Since the former president began campaigning ahead of the 2016 election, some musicians have not been happy to hear that the Trump team has played their music, often without authorization. From Canadian singer Céline Dion to the family of soul icon Isaac Hayes, they’ve done everything from issuing public statements to sending cease-and-desist letters to Trump through lawyers.
Beyoncé
While most complaints have focused on music played at Trump rallies, Beyoncé and her team issued a cease-and-desist letter after a Trump campaign spokesperson used her song “Freedom” in a short video shared online. T
Céline Dion
Céline was not happy when Donald Trump used her Titanic classic “My Heart Will Go On” at a recent campaign rally. “And really, THAT song?” she wrote on social media when she learned he’d been playing the hit. The Canadian star’s team issued a statement on Aug. 10 slamming the former president for “unauthorized usage” of the track from the Nineties film. “Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use,” the statement from Dion’s team said.
Isaac Hayes’ Family (2024)
TOM HILL/WIREIMAGE
The family of late soul singer Isaac Hayes wants to stop Trump from playing the hit “Hold On, I’m Comin’” at rallies and events, including at an NRA convention. Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes III, shared that they planned to file a lawsuit after learning that the Trump team has used the song about 135 times without licensing the song or asking for permission. “I was pissed,” Hayes told The Hollywood Reporter. “There’s just been a mass shooting. So why are we using it at the NRA convention? I wanted to take legal action because Trump has made statements against women, and here is a man who has been convicted of sexual abuse. I’m a brother to seven sisters, and I don’t want anybody to think of ‘Hold On’ and think of Donald Trump.” —J.L.
The Rolling Stones (2020)
RIDGEDALE, MISSOURI - JULY 21: (L - R) Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform during the final night of the Hackney Diamonds '24 Tour at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena on July 21, 2024 in Ridgedale, Missouri. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
The Rolling Stones made a pun out of one of their own song titles in 2020 when they told the Trump campaign to stop using their songs: “This could be the last time Trump uses any Jagger-Richards songs on his campaigns,” the band’s rep said at the time. Trump had been using “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” at rallies. Apparently, he wanted threats of legal action. —K.G.
John Fogerty (2020)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: John Fogerty performs at the Tim Irsay Collection & Concert at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on December 10, 2022 in San Francisco, California.
Tom Petty’s Estate (2020)
DEL MAR, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Tom Petty performs in concert on the third day of KAABOO Del Mar on September 17, 2017 in Del Mar, California.
The Florida rocker had a history of sending cease-and-desist letters to politicians using his music, including George W. Bush in 2000 (“I Won’t Back Down”) and Minnesota congresswoman Michele Bachmann in 2011 (“American Girl”). Three years after his death, his family spoke out about a certain Florida Man’s use of “I Won’t Back Down,” writing that Trump “was in no way authorized to use this song to further a campaign that leaves too many Americans and common sense behind.” His family continued, “Tom wrote this song for the underdog, for the common man and for EVERYONE.… We believe in America and we believe in democracy. But Donald Trump is not representing the noble ideals of either.” Amen to that. —A.M.
Phil Collins (2020)
British singer Phil Collins performs on stage during his "Still Not Dead Yet-tour" at Goffertpark, in Nijmegen, on June 20, 2019. - It is the first time in 14 years that Collins performs on a Dutch stage. (Photo by Paul Bergen / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT
MAGA energy was not in the air when Phil Collins made “In the Air Tonight.” The musician issued a cease-and-desist to Trump for usage of his 1981 single during the 2020 election. In the letter sent to Trump, Collins slammed the candidate for using the song “as a satirical reference to Covid-19” when Iowa was going through a spike in cases. “Mr. Collins does not condone the apparent trivialization of Covid-19,” the letter stated, adding that the musician had “serious concerns” that Trump’s usage would “damage” Collins’ reputation. —T.M.
Steven Tyler (2018)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 10: Steven Tyler performs onstage at Celebrity Fight Night XXIV on March 10, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night)
Donald Trump was living on the edge of a lawsuit in 2018 when Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler felt it was necessary to send a cease-and-desist letter to the then-president’s campaign for using the song “Livin’ on the Edge.” This came three years after the band already told Trump to knock it off with playing “Dream On” at rallies. —K.G.
