NATIONWIDE -- It’s the latest instance of blowback for a political candidate who used a pop song without permission.
The family of Tom Petty has issued a cease and desist order to the Trump campaign following the use of “I Won’t Back Down” at the president’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saturday.
“Trump was in no way authorized to use this song to further a campaign that leaves too many Americans and common sense behind,” Petty’s family wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.
Petty died in 2017 following an accidental drug overdose. The song in question was released on his first solo album, 1989’s “Full Moon Fever.” The song features contributions from George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and guitarist Mike Campbell.
Petty’s family was critical of the Trump campaign in its statement, associating it with racism and division:
“Both the late Tom Petty and his family firmly stand against racism and discrimination of any kind. Tom Petty would never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate. He liked to bring people together.”