The estate of Leonard Cohen condemned the unauthorized use of the song “Hallelujah” at a rally hosted by Donald Trump on June 24, 2026 [2].

This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between political campaigns and intellectual property rights, particularly when artists' legacies are used to signal specific ideological alignments without consent.

The song was performed during the Freedom 250 rally, which served as the opening of the Great American State Fair [1, 2]. The event was part of the celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 [1].

Representatives for the Cohen estate said the song was used without permission. They said they do not support the use of the work in a political rally [1, 3].

“Hallelujah” was originally released in 1984 [2]. Since its debut, the track has become one of the most covered songs in history, often utilized in emotional or spiritual contexts. The estate's decision to publicly rebuke the use of the track follows a pattern of protecting the late singer's artistic intent from political appropriation.

The rally on June 24 was framed as a celebration of American history, but the estate's reaction underscores a refusal to allow the music to be associated with the political messaging of the event [2].

“The estate says the song was used without permission.”

The conflict illustrates the legal and ethical complexities of 'moral rights' in music copyright. While licensing often covers commercial use, estates frequently fight to prevent songs from being used in political contexts that contradict the artist's known values or the song's original intent, regardless of whether a fee was paid.