Aaron Copland estate objects to Trump’s use of late composer’s ‘Hoe-Down’ in promotional video

The Trump campaign used the late composer’s tune in a video touting the outgoing President’s accomplishments

Aaron Copland estate objects to Trump's use of composer's music (Getty Images)

Representatives for the estate of Aaron Copland are reviewing Donald Trump's team's recent use of the late composer's "Hoe-Down" in a promotional video.

Posted to Trump's Twitter account on Monday (28 December), the video contained a minute-long montage of the outgoing President's accomplishments set to Aaron Copland's music.

When the composer died in 1990, a large part of his estate went to the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, which allows the use of his music to be used by classical music publisher Boosey & Hawkes.

“The Aaron Copland Fund for Music does not permit the use of Copland’s music in any form of political advertising, and neither the Copland Fund nor Boosey & Hawkes were asked for permission before the video was posted," said Carol Ann Cheung, a spokesperson for the publisher, adding that her team is "reviewing the matter and will be taking appropriate steps".

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"Hoe-Down," an instantly recognizable tune that inspires imagery relating to the American frontier, originally showed up in Copland's 1942 ballet, Rodeo. Since then, "Hoe-Down" has appeared in multiple spots across pop culture, most memorably as the backing music for "Beef. It's What's For Dinner" ad campaign in the 1990s, as well as on The Simpsons episode "The Seemingly Never-Ending Story".

Musicians over the years have also adapted the tune, with Emerson Lake & Palmer reworking it for their 1972 Trilogy album.

The Trump campaign has come under fire multiple times for its unauthorized music selections. During his 2016 campaign, Trump used Linkin Park's "In The End", prompting the band's management to file a copyright claim. Other artists who have demanded that Trump cease using their music during campaign rallies and other political events include (but are not limited to) Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Elton John, Eddy Grant, Adele, Neil Young, Nickelback, The Rolling Stones, Panic! At the Disco, and more.

As of 2.10 PM PT, the campaign video was taken down from Twitter with the message, "This Tweet from @realDonaldTrump has been withheld in response to a report from the copyright holder."