The 2024 Republican National Convention is filled with conservative elites, everyday Americans, and some celebrities, including Trump-loving musicians.
From the band based in Nashville, Sixwire, so that the participants can be entertained all four days in Milwaukee until Rock boy warm up the crowd before Donald Trump came on stage with âwar, warâ rendition of a mashup of old songs âAmerican Bad Assâ and âCowboy.â
But Donald Fagen, Steely Danâs only surviving founder, was unhappy when his song âReelinâ in the Yearsâ was played by Sixwire as part of the setlist. He posted a message on Facebook suggesting a different track instead: the anti-Trump ballad âTin Foil Hat.â
The song in question is not a Steely Dan song, but a Todd Rundgren track featuring Fagan â and very specifically about Trump.
The Republican National Conventionâs house band, Sixwire, played classic rock in Milwaukeeâincluding Steely Dan.
In a response posted to Steely Danâs official site, Donald Fagen suggested the group covered Trump and Todd Rundgrenâs takedown, âTin Foil Hat.â pic.twitter.com/NV2C54q0pz
â Expanding Dan, Steely Dan newsletter (@ExpandingDan) July 18, 2024
Here you can see more of the different singers and bands that showed up at the convention in support of Trump and artists who have spoken out against playing music in his show.
Rock boy
Kid Rock performed before Trump took the stage on Day 4.
âHeâs been my friend for the last ten years and heâs amazing, everybody loves him,â Trump said during his convention speech.
.@KidRock debut new version of American Badass at the RNC pic.twitter.com/j89Yt6AGxg
â Daily Caller (@Daily Caller) July 19, 2024
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean and his wife Brittany Kerr took a seat next to Trump in the MAGA friends and family box on the last night of the RNC. Aldean did not perform during the RNCâs public session, but instead performed a private concert that evening.
Jason Aldean Performing âTry That In A Small Townâ During His Private Concert at the RNC pic.twitter.com/n4QVd9T3Fv
â Jayne Zirkle (@JayneZirkle) July 19, 2024
Trump called Aldean âthe biggest star in country musicâ during his acceptance speech. âHeâs good,â Trump said. âI like his wife better,â the former president said in reference to Aldeanâs wife, Brittany Kerr.
Lee Greenwood
Lee Greenwood introduced Trump to the RNC on Day 1 and Day 4 and performed on Day 2.
What a grand entrance for Donald Trump at the RNC as Lee Greenwood plays âGod Bless the USAâ
Watch until the end to shoot the âIâll be backâ flag in the background as Trump approaches the podium.Wherever our âPresidentâ is sleeping because he has passed⌠pic.twitter.com/xExqk6JEtc
â Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) July 19, 2024
During his keynote speech Thursday night, Trump said Greenwood was a âbeautiful man.â Greenwood, who has been a close ally of Trump over the years, sang three times this week at the RNC, twice to introduce Trump.
Brian Kelly
Florida native and country singer-songwriter Brian Kelley showed up on Wednesday to perform âAmerican Spiritâ with a gospel choir.
Kelley is known for being a former chart-topping country duo in Florida Georgia Line, along with the Georgia native Tyler Hubbard.
Chris Johnson
Country singer Chris Johnson performed there, joining the Nashville-based band Sixwire. They played his single âAll American Guy.â
Celebrate All American Guys with Chris Janson! #FromHeart pic.twitter.com/Exs3nS8nHJ
â Charles Hart (@youneedahart) July 16, 2024
Tom Pettyâs family
The family of the late Tom Petty condemned the use of the musicianâs song âI Wonât Back Downâ at a Trump 2020 campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In a statement released on X, Tom Pettyâs daughters Adria and Annakim, Danaâs widow, and his ex-wife Jane Petty wrote that they will âmake an official announcement and stop working for the Trump campaign.â
âTrump did not have the authority to use this song for a campaign that hurt so many Americans and common sense,â the family wrote in a statement.
Elton John
During his presidency, Trump used Elton Johnâs songs âRocket Manâ and âTiny Dancerâ as warm-up music for his campaign. But this great singer has made it clear that his views differ from Trumpâs and that he does not want his music to be involved in American politics.
âI donât want my music to have anything to do with the American election campaign. Iâm British. Iâve met Donald Trump, heâs been really nice to me, nothing personal, his own political views, Iâm totally different, Iâm not a Republican in a million years ,â John told The Guardian in 2016.
Rihanna
In 2018, Rihanna found her music being played during one of the rallies through X.
Responding to a post on X from The Washington Post reporter Philip Rucker about the music he used, he sentâIt wonât be longâŚneither me nor my people will be in one of those tragic rallies, so thank you philip!â
Shortly after Rihanna posted on X about the disagreement, her team sent her a cease and desist notice, Rolling Stone reported.
The Rolling Stones
Since 2016, the band has posted multiple statements asking Trump to âcease all useâ of their music, Vulture reported.
But Trump continued to use the bandâs song âYou canât get what you wantâ.
In June 2020, representatives of the group â working with BMI, a performance rights organization â issued a statement that if Trump continues to use the bandâs music in his campaign efforts, he may be sued.
Brendon Urie of Panic! At the Disco
In X, Panic! The Disco frontman told the Trump campaign to stop playing the song âHigh Hopes,â which was played when the president walked on stage at a 2020 rally in Phoenix, Arizona, according to USA Today.
âDear Trump Campaign, Fuck you. Youâre not invited. Stop playing my song. No thanks, Brendon Urie, Panic! At The Disco & Company,â musicians write in X.
Dear Trump Campaign,
fuck you You are not invited. Stop playing my song.
No thanks,
Brendon Urie, Panic! At The Disco & Company.â Brendon Urie (@brendonurie) June 24, 2020
A member of George Harrisonâs estate
At the same 2016 RNC, The Beatles classic âHere Comes the Sun,â written by George Harrison, played. A member of his estate posted on X saying that the use of the song was unwanted.
But they are well they are sure to get dig in. âIf itâs Dark Vigilance, then we MIGHT have endorsed it! #TrumpYourself,â Xâs post read.