Poor Donald Trump. (Well, not really, but you know what we mean). The former host of The Apprentice and The Celebrity Apprentice can’t catch a break from any musicians. First Neil Young and Def Leppard fired shots at him for appropriating their music as part of his presidential campaign, then Morrissey bashed him, and now R.E.M. have issued a series of scathing responses to the Donald’s use of “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” at campaign events.
“Personally, I think the Orange Clown will do anything for attention,” Mike Mills tweeted. “I hate giving it to him.” Still, in an official statement posted to the group’s Facebook page, they explained that they “do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates cease and desist from doing so.” However, they went on to recommend that “the media and the American voter should focus on the bigger picture, and not allow grandstanding politicians to distract us from the pressing issues of the day and of the current Presidential campaign.”
Michael Stipe was less diplomatic in a statement relayed via Mills’ Twitter account. “Go f–k yourselves, the lot of you–you sad, attention grabbing, power-hungry little men. Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign.”
R.E.M. will issue an official statement shortly.
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
Personally, I think the Orange Clown will do anything for attention. I hate giving it to him.
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
The R.E.M. statement will be regarding Trump’s use of our song. Nothing more than that!
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
“While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates…
Posted by R.E.M. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Upcoming is Michael’s statement about Trump using our song at the rally. His opinions are HIS, please do not tweet angry responses at me.
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
“Go fuck yourselves, the lot of you–you sad, attention grabbing, power-hungry little men. Do not use our music or my voice for your 1)
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
…moronic charade of a campaign.”–Michael Stipe
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015