Axl Rose Furious About Donald Trump Using Guns N’ Roses Music at Campaign Rallies
Why the hell would any Republican use “Sweet Child O’ Mine” at a campaign rally? The lyrics, about Axl Rose’s then-girlfriend, don’t easily lend themselves to political interpretation. But even if, for the sake of argument, we pretend that they can be cheekily applied to, I dunno, say, an anti-choice position, the band has made it clear time and time again that they are not fans of Donald Trump or the modern Republican party at large. Not only did they invite fans in Mexico onto their stage to destroy a Trump piñata, but Rose has spent the last two years routinely disparaging Trump’s entire party on social media, from calling Melania a “former hooker” to imploring fans to “vote blue” as recently as last week.
But it’s not as if the Republican party is currently known for its stupendous intellect. So someone in that camp did, indeed, decide to start using “Sweet Child O’ Mine” at rallies led by Trump, who, you are no doubt aware, has been busy stumping for tomorrow’s mid-term elections. And as you can imagine, Rose ain’t happy about it. These days, the singer may refrain from his legendary rants on-stage, but he wasn’t shy about using multiple Twitter messages to express his displeasure:
“Just so ya know… GNR like a lot of artists opposed to the unauthorized use of their music at political events has formally requested r music not b used at Trump rallies or Trump associated events.
“Unfortunately the Trump campaign is using loopholes in the various venues’ blanket performance licenses which were not intended for such craven political purposes, without the songwriters’ consent. Can u say ‘shitbags?!’
“Personally I kinda liked the irony of Trump supporters listening to a bunch of anti Trump music at his rallies but I don’t imagine a lot of ‘em really get that or care.
“And when ur phone’s blowin’ up cuz peeps r seein’/hearin’ Sweet Child on the news at a rally… as a band we felt we should clarify r position. Peace!
“
Rose later continued:
“As far as I’m concerned anyone can enjoy GNR 4 whatever reason n’ there’s truth 2 the saying ‘u can’t choose your fans’ n’ we’re good w/that.
“Having said that my personal position is that the Trump administration along w/the majority of Republicans in Congress n’ their donors that support him 4 their own agendas r doing r nation a disservice.
“We have an individual in the WH that will say n’ do anything w/no regard for truth, ethics, morals or empathy of any kind, who says what’s real is fake n’ what’s fake is real. Who will stop at nothing 4 power feeding off the anger n’ resentment he sows 24/7 while constantly whining how whatever doesn’t go his way is unfair.
“Most of us in America have never experienced anything this obscene at this level in r lifetimes n’ if we as a country don’t wake up n’ put an end 2 this nonsense now it’s something we definitely will all pay hard 4 as time goes on.”
Rose isn’t the only famous musician to be cranky about Trump using his music — that illustrious club currently also includes Prince, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Queen, Twisted Sister, Adele, George Harrison, Luciano Pavarotti, Steven Tyler, and, most recently, Rihanna.
Get out there and vote tomorrow, everyone. Please.
Just so ya know… GNR like a lot of artists opposed to the unauthorized use of their music at political events has formally requested r music not b used at Trump rallies or Trump associated events.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
Unfortunately the Trump campaign is using loopholes in the various venues’ blanket performance licenses which were not intended for such craven political purposes, without the songwriters’ consent.
Can u say “shitbags?!”????
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
Personally I kinda liked the irony of Trump supporters listening to a bunch of anti Trump music at his rallies but I don’t imagine a lot of ‘em really get that or care.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
And when ur phone’s blowin’ up cuz peeps r seein’/hearin’ Sweet Child on the news at a rally… as a band we felt we should clarify r position. Peace!????????
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
As far as I’m concerned anyone can enjoy GNR 4 whatever reason n’ there’s truth 2 the saying “u can’t choose your fans” n’ we’re good w/that.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
Having said that my personal position is that the Trump administration along w/the majority of Republicans in Congress n’ their donors that support him 4 their own agendas r doing r nation a disservice.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
We have an individual in the WH that will say n’ do anything w/no regard for truth, ethics, morals or empathy of any kind, who says what’s real is fake n’ what’s fake is real.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
Who will stop at nothing 4 power feeding off the anger n’ resentment he sows 24/7 while constantly whining how whatever doesn’t go his way is unfair.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
Most of us in America have never experienced anything this obscene at this level in r lifetimes n’ if we as a country don’t wake up n’ put an end 2 this nonsense now it’s something we definitely will all pay hard 4 as time goes on.
— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018
