Donald Trump added insult to injury on Monday night when he walked out on stage to Queen’s classic rock hit, “We Are the Champions” at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
The defiant move came after the band’s guitarist, Brian May, had made a public statement last month asking the GOP presumptive nominee not to use the 1977 hit for his political campaign.
“I’ve had an avalanche of complaints – some of which you can see in our ‘LETTERS’ page – about Donald Trump using our ‘We Are the Champions’ track as his ‘theme’ song on USA TV,” May wrote on his personal website June 8.
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“This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given.
“We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool,” May, who turns 69 on Tuesday, continued.
“Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy.”
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Clearly the British rock star’s polite request was ignored as Trump stormed the stage amidst a dramatic smokescreen to greet his supporters at the Quicken Loans Arena to kick off the four-day extravaganza.
The polarizing presidential candidate also had the song blasting out of the sound system as he escorted wife, Melania Trump, off the stage following her passionate speech.
Needless to say, the GOP candidate’s use of a song that was originally written and performed by late rock legend Freddie Mercury, who died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS in 1991, sparked outrage on social media, especially among the LGBT community.
See the tweets below.
Hey #RNCinCLE . Don't play "We Are the Champions" by Queen, or any other song sung by GLBT people, if you don't recognize GLBT rights.
— Dan Ramos (@RepDanRamos) July 19, 2016
We Are The Champions blasting at the #RNCinCLE is infuriating. Got the worst platform on LGBT issues in generations? Step off QUEEN.
— Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) July 19, 2016
We Are The Champions blasting at the #RNCinCLE is infuriating. Got the worst platform on LGBT issues in generations? Step off QUEEN.
— Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) July 19, 2016
@realDonaldTrump enters #RNCinCLE through fog and Queen's "We Are The Champions"? Shhh, don't him it's become an LBGT anthem. Funny stuff.
— polymer noyz (@polymernoyz) July 19, 2016
I *demand* someone take "We Are The Champions" out of this clip and substitute "Liar" or "Death On Two Legs". #Queen https://t.co/ydZWKiBGfb
— James Auburn (@GetJamesAuburn) July 19, 2016
Now that Trump came out to We Are The Champions, I can document the exact time I'll never play a Queen recording again.
— Vito Aiello (@iVito51) July 19, 2016
Donald Drumpf came out to "We are the champions". A song sung by a famously gay, African-born singer. "Make America Great" my ass. #Queen
— Nick Earl (@NickEarlActor) July 19, 2016
#trump just came out to #Queen "We are the champions" I wonder if he and #Pence know the lead singer was gay????? since they're homophobes
— Mr. AOL (@PastorToone) July 19, 2016
@GeekyGeekyWays @Karnythia My brain melted when he walked out to we are the champions after all the homophobia his party was spitting…
— GreySoul (@GreySoulisthena) July 19, 2016
Trump, in smoky shadow, enters to "We Are the Champions." Freddie Mercury just died again. #RNCinCLie
— Jennifer Weiner (@jenniferweiner) July 19, 2016
FYI, "We are the Champions," being played right now at #RNCinCLE. was sung/written by a bi-sexual, Indian man with ancient Persian religion.
— Niraj Warikoo (@nwarikoo) July 19, 2016