Cohen estate objects to Hallelujah use at Trump rally

The opening night of the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., was marked by controversy on Wednesday, June 24, as the estate of the late singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen publicly objected to the use of his song "Hallelujah" at a rally headlined by President Donald Trump. Despite the estate's statement declaring the use unauthorized, the song was performed as planned.

The Cohen estate posted its objection on social media earlier in the day, stating it had learned of the planned performance and did not support or approve of it. The statement concluded with a phrase echoing Trump's own social media signoff: "Thank you for your attention to this matter." Nevertheless, opera singer Christopher Macchio, accompanied by Master Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Bennear of the United States Marine Band, performed the 1984 song at the event on the National Mall. The performance was accompanied by a B2 bomber flyover.

President Trump had announced the inclusion of "Hallelujah" nearly three weeks prior, praising Macchio's voice in a social media post. The performance proceeded despite a history of objections from Cohen's estate. In 2020, the estate said it declined a request to use the song at the...