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Reactions to Donald Trump's music-laden Pennsylvania town hall include a cease-and-desist from one singer and praise from another.
The former president made the decision to crash the town hall after many people suffered health emergencies, at one point declaring “let's listen to some music” before playing 40 minutes of songs.
Songs played for the audience included Pavarotti and James Brown. And finally, inevitably, the Village People singing “YMCA”
One artist who didn't enjoy hearing his music was singer Rufus Wainwright, whose cover of Leonard Cohen's “Hallelujah” from the Shrek 2 soundtrack was featured.
Wainwright confirmed that the publishing house handling Cohen's estate sent the letter.
Reactions to Donald Trump's music-filled Pennsylvania town hall include discontinuation from one singer and praise from another
One artist who didn't like hearing his music was singer Rufus Wainwright, whose cover of Leonard Cohen's “Hallelujah” from the Shrek 2 soundtrack was featured
The 51-year-old singer published a longer statement on social media condemning Trump.
“The song “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen has become an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of truth. Over the years, I have felt incredibly honored to be associated with this ode to tolerance,” he wrote.
“Witnessing Trump and his supporters engage in this music last night was the height of blasphemy,” he continued, declaring that he was “completely committed to Kamala.”
He hoped that “maybe Donald Trump, by inhabiting and really listening to the lyrics of Cohen's masterpiece, will feel a glimmer of remorse for what he has caused.” I'm not holding my breath.
However, Village People's Victor Wilson… who previously protested against Trump using his music – now says he sees the positives.
“Trump's use of the word 'YMCA' benefited the song greatly. “For example, when Trump started using 'YMCA,' the song jumped back to No. 2 on Billboard's digital chart,” he told TMZ.
Wilson, who also supports Harris, says he no longer wants to prevent Trump from using him.
At Trump's town hall in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania, not one but two attendees required medical attention within minutes of each other – and that's when things got really weird.
Village People's Victor Wilson, who previously protested against Trump using his music, now says he sees a silver lining
At Trump's town hall in the key Pennsylvania battleground, not one but two attendees required medical attention within minutes of each other – and then things took a strange turn
The first casualty was Donald Trump being inconvenienced for a minute or two mid-flight while answering questions about home prices, borders and small businesses.
Before the second person collapsed in the heat of the packed exhibition hall, the former president knew he had a problem. A few people in the back of the room were heading for the exits, and he knew he had to pump up the crowd. It's time for plan B.
“Let's not ask any more questions,” Trump told his audience in suburban Philadelphia. “Let's listen to music.”
First came Ave Marie, Schubert's masterpiece, a favorite at weddings and funerals, as Trump stood center stage and gazed into the distance.
To the sound of familiar Village People disco tunes, Trump and Gov. Kristi Noem turned into goofy teenagers, throwing themselves into shapes as the remnants of the crowd joined in or left.
The event, held Monday evening, was touted as a “town hall” and a chance for Trump to answer questions about the economy from voters who could decide the outcome of the entire election.
