Pharrell Williams is far from “Happy” that US President Trump used his song.
The singer sent a cease and desist letter to the president following his choice to play “Happy” at a political event in Midwest shortly after nearly a dozen people fell victim to the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting.
Williams’s attorney, Howard King stated clearly that the use of the 2014 hit by Williams without consent constitutes both copyright and trademark infringement.
King further wrote, “On the day of the mass murder of 11 human beings at the hands of a deranged ‘Nationalist’, you played his song ‘Happy’ to a crowd at a political event in Indiana.
“There was nothing ‘Happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday and no permission was granted for your use of this song for this purpose.”
This not being the first time Trump has been called out for using other musician’s music without consent, musical legends like the Rolling Stones, Queen and Adele have been among the list of legal complaints.
According to William’s lawyer, the artist “has not” and “will not” grant Trump permission to “otherwise broadcast or disseminate any of his music.”
What are your thoughts on Trump’s insensitive choice of song?