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R.E.M. Hate ‘Orange Clown’ Donald Trump

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CA - MARCH 10: Donald Trump attends a press conference to announce the PGA Grand Slam of Golf site at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles March 10, 2015 in Palos Verdes Estates, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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.”

 

“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