Rufus Wainwright blasts Trump for playing ‘Hallelujah’ cover

On Monday evening (October 14th), Donald Trump’s town hall turned into a bizarre listening party with songs from many artists who do not support the presidential candidate. Now, Rufus Wainwright has reiterated his support for Kamala Harris, issuing a statement expressing that he was “ashamed” when Trump performed his version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

“The song ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen has become an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of the truth,” Wainwright said. “It has been a great honor for me over the years to be associated with this ode to tolerance. Witnessing Trump and his supporters communicating with this music last night was the height of blasphemy.”

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He continued: “Of course I cannot condone this in any way and was ashamed, but the good in me hopes that upon reflecting and listening to the lyrics of Cohen’s masterpiece, Donald Trump may feel a twinge of remorse for what he has caused. “. I’m not holding my breath.”

The press release with the statement also noted that the publisher of the Cohen estate had sent the Trump campaign a cease-and-desist letter. The late singer’s estate previously considered legal action over the unauthorized use of “Hallelujah” at the 2020 Republican National Convention.

In addition to Wainwright’s “Hallelujah” cover, Trump performed Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” at the town hall – even though her estate requested he stop using the song back in March.