Leonard Cohen Estate Objects to Trump’s Promised Use of ‘Hallelujah’ at Freedom 250 Rally

The family and estate of the late Leonard Cohen have officially objected to the planned performance of his iconic song "Hallelujah" at a political rally hosted by former President Donald Trump. The event, referred to as the "Freedom 250" rally, is scheduled for Wednesday evening on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A statement issued across Cohen's official social media channels confirmed that "the song 'Hallelujah' is to be performed at a Donald Trump rally on June 24" without obtaining prior authorization. The estate left no room for ambiguity, declaring that "the Estate does not support or approve of this or any similar usage." The message concluded with a pointed twist on Trump's own Truth Social slogan: "Thank you for your attention to this matter." This is not the first time the Cohen estate has publicly distanced itself from the former president's use of the track; during the 2024 campaign, when Trump's events featured "Hallelujah," the estate sarcastically suggested he instead use Cohen's more melancholic piece, "You Want It Darker." Leonard Cohen, the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter who passed away in 2016, originally penned "Hallelujah" in 1984. Since its release, the song has become one of the most widely covered tracks globally, with notable renditions by artists such as Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright—the latter famously appearing on the "Shrek" soundtrack. Music historian Dr. Sarah Jenkins observes, "The song's journey from an obscure album cut to a global anthem of both ecstasy and sorrow makes its political appropriation particularly contentious."

Trump first announced nearly three weeks ago that "Hallelujah" would be included in the rally's entertainment, which he has touted as the launch of the "Great American State Fair." The former president has described the gathering as "the Greatest Rally, EVER!" and "a Rally to end all Rallies!," promising a lineup that includes country singer Lee Greenwood and tenor Christopher Macchio, who is scheduled to perform the Cohen classic. Macchio's other planned numbers include "Nessun Dorma," "Ave Maria," and "God Bless America"—pieces that carry overtly religious or divine themes. This contrasts sharply with "Hallelujah," which, despite frequent misinterpretation as a sacred hymn, is entirely secular in its lyrics, exploring themes of love, loss, and fractured faith. Trump has previously criticized performers who declined to participate in the event, writing on June 4 that "we don't want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep" and insisting that "all we want is you, me, a few speakers, and the Greatest Music ever played." The rally will also feature the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," the Armed Forces Choir, and "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, alongside the Joint Armed Forces Chorus, performing a selection of patriotic standards. The event is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. ET, and it remains unclear whether the Cohen estate's objection will lead to any last-minute changes to the program.

Additional controversy emerged on Tuesday when Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, announced via social media that she had been selected to sing the National Anthem at the rally. Wilkins quickly defended herself against criticism, asserting that she was chosen "on my own accord" and not due to any special connections. The use of "Hallelujah" at Trump rallies has a fraught history; during the 2024 campaign, when Trump employed Rufus Wainwright's cover from the "Shrek" soundtrack, Wainwright called it "the height of blasphemy" to witness the president and his supporters "commune with this music." The song's lyrics, including the pointed line "You don't really care for music, do ya?" have often been turned against the former president by critics. Legal experts suggest that while the Cohen estate's objection carries significant moral weight, enforcing a ban on a public performance at a political rally can be legally complex. "Copyright law protects the right to control public performance of a work, but political events often test these boundaries," says intellectual property attorney Mark Reeves. The rally is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET, and it remains to be seen whether the Cohen estate's objection will prompt any last-minute adjustments to the program.