Rufus Wainwright condemned former President Donald J. Trump for playing his cover of “Hallelujah” at a strange rally in Oaks, Pennsylvania last night, during which the Republican presidential nominee cut his words and danced for half an hour as chants rang out. sound system. Wainwright, who supports Trump’s Democratic presidential rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, called the joint selection of the song by Trump and his supporters “the height of blasphemy.”
Leonard Cohen’s song, Wainwright said in a statement, “has become an anthem for peace, love and acceptance of truth.” He continued. “For years I have been honored to be associated with this song of tolerance. Trump and his supporters jamming to this music last night was the height of blasphemy. Of course, there is no way I’m letting it go and I was saddened, but the good in me hopes that perhaps having lived and actually heard the lyrics to Cohen’s masterpiece, Donald Trump might just come to regret what he’s done. I’m not holding my breath.”
Wainwright’s statement noted that the publishing company of the estate of Leonard Cohen sent a cease and desist letter to the Trump campaign. Other songs played at last night’s rally, which took a strange turn after two attendees passed out, apparently due to the heat, included a cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor, whose estate called Trump “biblical “. the devil”, and from “Memory”. Cats musical
