Singer Rufus Wainwright criticized the use of the song Alleluia by Donald Trump during a campaign event organized this Monday at City Hall in Oaks (Pennsylvania). The event became a concert of sorts after being interrupted for more than thirty minutes because two of the participants needed medical attention.
A period during which the former president of the United States danced others blows as YMCA of the Village People, the interpretation of Hail Mary by Luciano Pavarotti and Nothing compares to you by Sinead O’Connor. Trump then sarcastically asked those in attendance “if anyone else wanted to pass out.”
Through a statement, Rufus Wainwright called it “the height of blasphemy” to see “Trump and his supporters commune” with what he defined as “an anthem dedicated to peace, love and acceptance of the truth.”
“Of course, I do not approve of this in any way and I am dying of shame,” he added. “I hope that perhaps, by truly inhabiting and listening to the words of Cohen’s masterpiece, Trump can feel a glimmer of remorse for what he has caused, but I have not lots of hope.
They also condemned the use of Alleluia representatives of the estate of Leonard Cohen, author of the song, according to Tutorwho directly issued a “cease and desist order” to Trump. Delegates from the estate of the musician who died in 2016 have already criticized the fact that the song was heard at the Republican National Convention held last August.
“We are shocked and appalled by this rather brazen attempt to politicize and exploit so blatantly Halleluhajone of the most important songs in Cohen’s catalog”, they then indicated in a writing.
Support for Kamala Harris
“Needless to say: all my support for Kamala,” is the message with which Rufus Wainwright concluded his statement. The New York composer joins the long list of artists who have made public their support for the Democrat, including names such as Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Barbra Streisand, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift.
The singer said in an Instagram post after the US presidential debate in early September that “the easiest way to fight misinformation is to tell the truth.” “I will vote for Kamala Harris because she fights for rights and causes that I think need someone to champion them,” he said.
