On Saturday, the esteemed vocalist Celine Dion gracefully released a statement that not only lambasted former President Donald Trump's campaign for the unscrupulous appropriation of her music at a recent rally but also subtly mocked the choice of tune. Throughout the campaign seasons of 2023 and 2024, Dion's iconic "My Heart Will Go On" has been blaring at numerous rallies, unbeknownst to her and her management team until recently, when they were startled to discover its unauthorized usage at Trump's rally in Bozeman, Montana, on Friday.
"Today, a shocking revelation dawned on Celine Dion's management and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., as they became cognizant of the illicit exploitation of Dion's video, recording, musical rendition, and even her likeness, as she sang 'My Heart Will Go On' at a Donald Trump/JD Vance rally in Montana," Dion eloquently expressed in a statement shared across her X and Instagram platforms. "This unauthorized usage is utterly unacceptable, and Celine Dion stands firmly against it, nor does she condone any such endeavors. ... And honestly, that particular song?"
"My Heart Will Go On," a romantic masterpiece that served as the soulful anthem for James Cameron's cinematic masterpiece "Titanic," has transcended time, becoming one of the most successful singles in history since its release in 1997.
CNN has reached out to the Trump campaign, inquiring whether they intend to desist from playing the song at future gatherings. This isn't the first time musicians have objected to Trump's campaigns co-opting their music; Rihanna, the Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, and the estate of George Harrison, among others, have all previously voiced their disapproval, stretching back to Trump's inaugural campaign in 2016.
Last month, Dion stole the spotlight once again with a triumphant return to the stage, serenading the world with Edith Piaf's "L'Hymne à l'amour" at the Olympic opening ceremony. This marked her first concert performance since bravely sharing her battle with stiff person syndrome, a rare and progressive neurological condition that affects the intricate workings of the brain and spinal cord, as described by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
