A spokesperson for former President Trump’s campaign used Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” in a video posted to social media featuring the former president.
Steven Cheung, spokesperson for the Trump campaign, posted a video on the social platform X of Trump walking off the plane after it landed in Michigan. The song “Freedom,” frequently used by Vice President Harris’s campaign, was heard in the background of the video.
“Touchdown in Michigan!! @realDonaldTrump,” Cheung wrote on X.
CNN and The Associated Press reported that Beyoncé gave the Harris campaign permission to use her song “Freedom” throughout her presidential campaign. Harris used the song in several campaign events and featured it in her first ad, with which she launched her bid for the White House last month.
During the first day of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, Democrats unveiled a new ad that included an a cappella version of “Freedom.”
The song is from Beyoncé’s acclaimed 2016 album “Lemonade” and features rapper Kendrick Lamar. The anthem increased in popularity after the police killing of George Floyd in 2020.
The song makes several references to the history of slavery as the Grammy award winner sings about breaking chains, and also several references to police brutality as Lamar raps about being chased by police before opening “correctional gates in higher desert” and opening minds to “cast away oppression.”
Beyoncé endorsed the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020 and previously headlined a preelection concert for then-Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in Cleveland alongside her husband, Jay-Z.
Cheung responded with “Freedom, freedom!” when reached for comment by The Hill about the video.
The Hill has reached out to a representative for Beyoncé for comment.
