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John Fogerty Issues ‘Cease and Desist’ Order Against Donald Trump’s Use of ‘Fortunate Son’

John Fogerty issued a “cease and desist” letter to Donald Trump to demand the president stop using the song “Fortunate Son” at his campaign rallies, TMZ said. The former Credence Clearwater Revival singer said he originally wrote the song because he was disgusted at people like Donald Trump. Fogerty joins a long list of people who have asked the president to stop using their music.

Fogerty posted the letter on Twitter. He included a photo of him during the two years he served in the Army Reserves during the Vietnam War.

The letter reads: “I object to the President using my song, ‘Fortunate Son’ in any way for his campaign. He is using my words and my voice to portray a message that I do not endorse.”

“Therefore, I am issuing a ‘cease and desist’ order. I wrote this song because, as a veteran, I was disgusted that some people were allowed to be excluded from serving our country because they had access to political and financial privilege. I also wrote about wealthy people not paying their fair share of taxes. Mr. Trump is a prime example of both of these issues. The fact that Mr. Trump also fans the flames of hatred, racism and fear while rewriting recent history, is even more reason to be troubled by his use of my song.”

Trump has used the song several times, but he first used it last month when leaving Air Force One.

“Fortunate Son” is about the people who were able to use their wealth to avoid the Vietnam draft. Donald Trump received five deferments for the draft. Four times for college and the final one after a doctor diagnosed him with bone spurs in his feet.

Lawyers issue cease and desist letter to Trump

Rolling Stone magazine said Fogerty’s lawyers also sent the Trump campaign a cease and desist letter. They said using the song at political rallies could “likely to cause confusion, mistake and deceive the public as to the affiliation, connection, sponsorship or association of President Trump by or with John Fogerty.”

“We therefore demand that you expeditiously abstain from playing ‘Fortunate son’ or any other song written by or connected with John Fogerty at any political campaign rallies or events, and promptly notify us that the demand has been met. This matter is of great importance to our client, and we look forward to your prompt action.”

Fogerty’s lawyers claim using the song in this way is “trademark infringement, unfair competition, false designation of origin and false description.”

Neil Young is suing over the president’s use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk,” Rolling Stone said.

Other artists have asked Trump to stop using their songs

Fogerty joins a very long list of musicians and their estates who have asked Trump to stop using their music . Some of the more notable inclusions on that list include:

Adele — “Rolling in the Deep” and “Skyfall;”

The Beatles — “Here Comes the Sun”

Bruce Springsteen — “Born in the USA.”

Guns N’ Roses — “Live and Let Die” and “Sweet Child of Mine”

Linkin Park — “In the End”

Nickleback — “Photograph”

Prince — “Purple Rain”

R.E.M. — “It’s the end of the World (As We Know It),” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Losing My Religion”

Rhianna — “Please Don’t Stop the Music”

Elton John — “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man”

Tom Petty — “I Won’t Back Down”