LOS ANGELES | Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is asking Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to stop using the power ballad “Dream On” at campaign events.
Attorneys for Tyler sent a second cease-and-desist letter to Trump’s campaign committee on Saturday.
The letter says that Trump does “not have our client’s permission to use ‘Dream On’” or any of Tyler’s other songs and that it “gives the false impression that he is connected with or endorses Mr. Trump’s presidential bid.”
Tyler, who is a registered Republican, attended the GOP contenders’ first debate in August.
Attorney Dina LaPolt said in a statement that the letter is not a “political” or “personal issue with Mr. Trump,” but it’s one of permission and copyright.
Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to request for comment.
As much as I dislike Trump, if he is willing to pay performance fees to the artist, then Tyler and Aerosmith really have no legal case.
The use of songs, with proper fees paid, is about as much of an endorsement as the bakers making cakes for gay weddings. These are business transactions, not endorsements. Aerosmith and the gay-bakers can make use of the 1st Amendment and speak out against things they dislike, but legally they must honor the business transaction.