Trump campaign's use of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is "blasphemy," singer Rufus Wainwright says
CBSN
On Monday, Donald Trump turned a town hall Q&A into a music-listening session, with the former president swaying on stage for more than 30 minutes to some of his favorite songs — including Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," as covered by the singer Rufus Wainwright in the film "Shrek."
Now, Wainwright and Cohen's estate are taking issue with Trump's use of the song, with Wainwright writing on social media that "witnessing Trump and his supporters commune with this music last night was the height of blasphemy."
The publishing company for Cohen's estate has sent a cease and desist letter to the Trump campaign, Wainwright said. Cohen, who died in 2016 at the age of 82, originally released the song in 1984, with many musicians later covering it, including Wainwright and the late Jeff Buckley.
On Highway 93, en route to Missoula, it's hard to miss this billboard and Jermain Charlo's haunting gaze. NEWS REPORT | JILL VALLEY | KPAX: Missoula police are concerned that a missing Dixon woman might be held somewhere against her will tonight. They are continuing to investigate the disappearance of 23-year-old Jermain Charlo who also goes by the name "Liz." I'm home alone for two more weeks. So, every day, blog will probably be only me until my boyfriend/fiancé gets home from work.