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Just before Donald Trump took the stage at Wednesday’s Great American State Fair rally—an event commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary—the estate of Leonard Cohen issued a formal protest. The representatives for the late legendary songwriter explicitly voiced their disapproval regarding the planned performance of his iconic track, “Hallelujah,” at the Washington, D.C. gathering.
Despite these clear objections, the song was still performed during the event.
“The Leonard Cohen Estate has been made aware that ‘Hallelujah’ is scheduled to be performed at a Donald Trump rally today, June 24,” the estate stated via Cohen’s official Instagram account. “This usage is unauthorized, and the Estate neither endorses nor approves of this—or any similar—application of the work.”
The statement concluded with a sharp, ironic nod to one of the former president’s frequent online catchphrases: “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The estate’s request was ultimately disregarded. Footage from the rally captures opera singer Christopher Macchio performing the 1984 classic alongside Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bennear of the Marine Band, all timed to coincide with a dramatic B-2 bomber flyover.
The song, widely regarded as a modern standard, has been covered by hundreds of artists over the decades. The Recording Industry Association of America estimates that “Hallelujah” has been interpreted by more than 300 singers in various languages, with notable renditions by Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, and Pentatonix.
In a 2009 interview with The Guardian, Cohen expressed his own weariness regarding the song’s oversaturation. “I read a review of the film Watchmen, which features the song, and the critic suggested a moratorium on ‘Hallelujah’ in movies and television,” Cohen noted. “I’m inclined to agree. It’s a fine song, but far too many people are singing it.”
