Hallelujah Heard 'Round the Rally: Leonard Cohen Estate Fumes Over Trump's Anthem Use
The Leonard Cohen estate publicly objected to the unauthorized use of “Hallelujah” at a Donald Trump rally on June 24. Despite the estate's clear statement, the song was performed at the event in Washington, D.C. This incident highlights the song's enduring popularity and Cohen's past sentiments about its frequent covers.
Ahead of a rally for Donald Trump at the Great American State Fair on Wednesday, June 24, celebrating 250 years of the United States, the estate of late singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen publicly objected to the planned use of his iconic song “Hallelujah.” Despite the clear and explicit objections raised by the estate, the song was nevertheless performed at the Washington, D.C. event.
The Leonard Cohen Estate issued a statement, posted on Cohen’s official Instagram account, stating, “The Leonard Cohen Estate has learned that the song ‘Hallelujah’ is to be performed at a Donald Trump rally on June 24. This use is not authorized, and the Estate does not support or approve of this or any similar usage.” The statement concluded with a direct and pointed reference to former President Trump’s characteristic social media sign-off, simply adding: “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
However, it appears that the estate's strong disapproval went unheeded. Video footage from the event confirms that “Hallelujah” was indeed performed. The rendition featured Long Island opera singer Christopher Macchio collaborating with the Marine Band’s Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bennear. The performance was even accompanied by a B-2 bomber flyover, preceding Donald Trump’s appearance on stage.
This incident is not an isolated one in the song’s extensive history. “Hallelujah,” originally released in 1984, has been covered by an extraordinary number of artists. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reports that over 300 singers have performed the track, spanning multiple languages and decades. Notable high-profile versions include Jeff Buckley’s rendition on his 1994 album Grace, Rufus Wainwright’s contribution to the 2001 Shrek soundtrack, and Pentatonix’s holiday-themed version for their 2016 album A Pentatonix Christmas.
Leonard Cohen himself had expressed his thoughts on the song’s widespread popularity and frequent covers prior to his passing in 2016. In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, he humorously remarked on the song's ubiquity: “I was reading a review of a movie called Watchmen that uses it, and the reviewer said, ‘Can we please have a moratorium on “Hallelujah” in movies and television shows?’ and I kind of feel the same way. I think it’s a good song, but too many people sing it.” His comments reflect a complex relationship with the song’s global recognition and its pervasive presence in popular culture.