Rihanna is not a fan of President Donald Trump and was clearly angry to find he used her music at one of his “tragic rallies.”
The superstar singer was apparently alerted to the fact that her 2007 single “Don’t Stop the Music” was being played at Trump’s rally in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Washington Post’s White House Bureau Chief Philip Rucker mentioned the rally and the use of the music in a tweet Sunday that caught Rihanna’s attention.
It’s been said a million times, but here’s a million and one — Trump’s rallies are unlike anything else in politics. Currently, Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” is blaring in Chattanooga as aides toss free Trump T-shirts into the crowd, like a ball game. Everyone’s loving it.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) November 4, 2018
Soon after, the singer replied with what seemed like a threat to follow up with some kind of action against the Trump campaign.
Not for much longer…me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up philip! https://t.co/dRgRi06GrJ
— Rihanna (@rihanna) November 5, 2018
Her personal, “thanks for the heads up philip!” caught the attention of many on Twitter, including Washington Post’s national security reporter John Hudson and Associated Press reporter Jonathan Lemire.
In other news, Rihanna and @PhilipRucker are on a first name basis https://t.co/hMfBQsCw8C
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) November 5, 2018
It left MSNBC’s Kendall Breitman speechless.
I CAN’T EVEN FORM WORDS @PhilipRucker aka “Philip” as Rihanna calls you #firstnamebasis https://t.co/M4GnH4aWrT
— Kendall Breitman (@KendallBreitman) November 5, 2018
Rihanna had earlier tweeted about another political topic, endorsing Democratic candidate Andrew Gillum for Florida’s governor.
FLORIDA: You have the opportunity to make history this election. Let’s #bringithome. Vote @andrewgillum. And VOTE YES on Amendment 4 to restore voting rights to folks who have already paid their debt to society. VOTE on November 6th! https://t.co/ApH5hN7anc pic.twitter.com/Kpxz9XleYZ
— Rihanna (@rihanna) November 4, 2018
The singer is not the first to complain about the Trump campaign’s use of her music, as rapper and song producer Pharrell Williams complained after Trump played his song “Happy” at a rally held in Murphysboro, Illinois last week.
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, who had asked that the band’s hit song “Dream On” not be used during the 2016 presidential campaign, sent a cease and desist letter to the White House in August following the use of the song “Livin’ on the Edge” at a Trump campaign rally in West Virginia.
Drucker, whose tweet about her music caught Rihanna’s eye, responded to her reply with a simple message later Sunday.
Rihanna serves notice about Trump playing her music https://t.co/KOtT9j9gFg
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) November 5, 2018
In the meantime, Rihanna may find herself the target of the kind of backlash Tyler earned for declaring his band’s music off-limits to the commander-in-chief.
Can you say what you or your team expect to do? @RollingStones were repeatedly displeased during the campaign that Trump made their song his theme song, but here’s @MickJagger claiming there was, really, nothing they could do: https://t.co/ASyZnn1R4z https://t.co/dKmIco0Vfg
— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24) November 5, 2018
Maybe she should be more worried none of us can name any of her songs… Let alone care about her.
— Americanist Bossy (@Californiabossy) November 5, 2018
Play it louder @realDonaldTrump
— TSmith3377 (@tdsmith33773) November 5, 2018
Only a complete idiot would complain about free airtime to millions of Americans ???
— A Town Socials (@atownsocials) November 5, 2018
Give me a break I hope everyone else stops playing her music.
— Giena (@gienaeveritt) November 5, 2018
Aren’t all leftists in a constant state of being furious and outraged? How tiresome. #VoteRed
— Virginia Girl (@virginiagirl10) November 5, 2018
I guess Rihanna doesn’t think she’s said enough stupid things yet this year. She stands up for Kaepernick, then declines singing at half time for the Super Bowl because of her support for him. Guess she can care less that she lost 65 million customers. Dumb & dumber.
— ProudTrumpgirl (@wnpcat) November 5, 2018
Why is she pissed, by all accounts he’s the only one playing her music. #Rihanna #trumprally
— Virgil Dennis (@VirgilDennis) November 5, 2018
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Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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