Reactions to Donald Trump’s music-laden town hall in Pennsylvania included a cease and desist from one singer and praise from another.
The former president decided to dissolve the town hall after several people suffered medical emergencies, at one point declaring “let’s listen to music” before playing 40 minutes of tunes.
Songs played for the audience included Pavarotti and James Brown. And finally, inevitably, the townspeople singing ‘YMCA’
One artist who did not enjoy listening to his music was singer Rufus Wainwright, whose cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ from the Shrek 2 soundtrack appeared.
Wainwright confirmed that Cohen’s estate’s publisher sent the letter.
Reactions to Donald Trump’s music-laden town hall in Pennsylvania include a cease and desist from one singer and praise from another.
One artist who did not enjoy listening to his music was singer Rufus Wainwright, whose cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ from the Shrek 2 soundtrack appeared.
The singer, 51, posted a longer statement on social media condemning Trump.
‘Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ has become an anthem dedicated to peace, love and the acceptance of truth. “Over the years, I have been extremely honored to be associated with this ode to tolerance,” he wrote.
“Seeing Trump and his followers commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy,” he continued, while declaring himself “supporting Kamala.”
He hoped that “perhaps by actually inhabiting and listening to the lyrics of Cohen’s masterpiece, Donald Trump might experience a glimmer of remorse for what he has caused.” I’m not holding my breath.
However, Village People’s Victor Wilson, who had previously protested Trump’s use of his music, now says he can see the positives.
Trump’s use of ‘YMCA’ has greatly benefited the song. “For example, when Trump started using ‘YMCA,’ the song shot back up to No. 2 on Billboard’s digital chart,” he told TMZ.
Wilson, who also supports Harris, says he no longer wants to stop Trump from using him.
At Trump’s town hall in crucial battleground Pennsylvania, not one but two attendees required medical attention within minutes of each other, and then things really took a strange turn.
Village People’s Victor Wilson, who previously protested Trump’s use of his music, now says he can see the positives.
At Trump’s town hall in crucial battleground Pennsylvania, not one but two attendees required medical attention within minutes of each other, and then things really took a strange turn.
The first casualty was a snag that stopped Donald Trump for a minute or two while he answered questions about home prices, the border and small businesses in mid-flight.
When the second person collapsed in the heat of the crowded exhibition hall, the former president knew he had a problem. Some people down the hall were heading toward the exits and he knew he needed to warm up the crowd. It was time for plan B.
“Let’s not ask any more questions,” Trump told his audience in suburban Philadelphia. “Let’s just listen to music.”
First came Ave Marie, Schubert’s masterpiece that is a favorite at weddings and funerals, as Trump stood center stage watching in the middle distance.
With the familiar disco chords of the Village People playing, Trump and host Gov. Kristi Noem turned into goofy teenagers, throwing shapes as the remnants of the crowd gathered or drifted away.
Monday night’s event was billed as a “town hall” and a chance for Trump to answer economic questions from voters that could decide the outcome of the entire election.