Axl Rose is no fan of U.S. President Donald Trump. During a show in Mexico, Axl brought out a Trump pinata for fans to bash, he's called the First Lady an "alleged former hooker" and politely asked the president to stop whining. But now things have gotten personal for Rose.
The Trump campaign has been using the classic GNR song “Sweet Child O’ Mine” at his campaign rallies, and while Axl makes it clear that he has no problem with Trump supporters listening to GNR, he does have a problem with the President playing the song without his consent. Trump is using a blanket license loophole, in which venues pay a pre-determined fee to a performance right society and in turn can play any of the music from that catalog at their venues.
Rose went on a Twitter rant, over multiple tweets, which we have condensed here for clarity:
“Just so ya know… GNR like a lot of artists opposed to the unauthorized use of their music at political events has formally requested r music not b used at Trump rallies or Trump associated events.
“Unfortunately the Trump campaign is using loopholes in the various venues’ blanket performance licenses which were not intended for such craven political purposes, without the songwriters’ consent. Can u say ‘shitbags?!’
“Personally I kinda liked the irony of Trump supporters listening to a bunch of anti Trump music at his rallies but I don’t imagine a lot of ‘em really get that or care.
“And when ur phone’s blowin’ up cuz peeps r seein’/hearin’ Sweet Child on the news at a rally… as a band we felt we should clarify r position. Peace!
“As far as I’m concerned anyone can enjoy GNR 4 whatever reason n’ there’s truth 2 the saying ‘u can’t choose your fans’ n’ we’re good w/that.
“Having said that my personal position is that the Trump administration along w/the majority of Republicans in Congress n’ their donors that support him 4 their own agendas r doing r nation a disservice.
“We have an individual in the WH that will say n’ do anything w/no regard for truth, ethics, morals or empathy of any kind, who says what’s real is fake n’ what’s fake is real. Who will stop at nothing 4 power feeding off the anger n’ resentment he sows 24/7 while constantly whining how whatever doesn’t go his way is unfair.
“Most of us in America have never experienced anything this obscene at this level in r lifetimes n’ if we as a country don’t wake up n’ put an end 2 this nonsense now it’s something we definitely will all pay hard 4 as time goes on.”
Rose isn't the only artist pissed about this. Rihanna also blasted the President yesterday for playing her music without consent:
Not for much longer…me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up philip! https://t.co/dRgRi06GrJ
— Rihanna (@rihanna) November 5, 2018
