Blue Oyster Cult Addresses Donald Trump’s Use of ‘(Don’t Fear) The Reaper’ in AI Video Mocking Democrats

Blue Öyster Cult has issued a public clarification after former president Donald Trump shared an AI-generated clip that pairs imagery of him with the band’s 1976 hit, “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.”

The video, posted to Truth Social, features a digitally altered likeness of Trump clad in a dark cloak striking a cowbell to the song’s rhythm while a fabricated version of JD Vance is shown playing drums. On-screen text substitutes for the song’s original lyrics to deliver a taunting message.

The group addressed the post via its social channels, noting they were neither informed nor consulted before the clip appeared. In their Instagram statement they emphasized that the copyright to “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” is held by Sony Music and that Blue Öyster Cult does not control licensing decisions for the recording.

“Let’s clarify a few things: BLUE ÖYSTER CULT was not contacted or notified in advance,” the band wrote. “The copyright in the song (Don’t Fear) The Reaper is 100% owned by SONY MUSIC. BLUE ÖYSTER CULT has no legal right to either authorize or withhold usage, which is 100% controlled by SONY MUSIC.”

— Blue Öyster Cult (Instagram)

Using artists’ recordings without consent is a recurring issue in Trump’s public communications: since 2016 he has been called out by performers including Beyoncé, the Foo Fighters, Adele, Celine Dion and Jack White for incorporating their music into campaign materials and social posts without permission.

More recently, AI-generated content has become a prominent element of his social-media approach. Platforms have contained digitally manipulated images and videos that falsely portray public figures as endorsing him — a trend that has raised concerns about misinformation and the ethical implications of synthetic media.

In one widely noted example, an AI-manufactured image circulated that purported to show Taylor Swift backing Trump; Swift publicly denounced the fabrication and used the moment to highlight the dangers of AI-driven falsehoods.

Last August, the White House released a plan titled “Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan,” reflecting the growing political emphasis on artificial intelligence and its rapid integration into public discourse and campaigning.

For reference: the AI video was shared on Truth Social; Blue Öyster Cult’s full statement is available on their Instagram page.

View the Truth Social post |
Read Blue Öyster Cult’s Instagram statement

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