Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

R.E.M singer Michael Stipe tells Donald Trump to go 'f**k himself' for using band's song in 'moronic charade of a campaign'

The band were not happy with the 'Orange Clown'

Heather Saul
Thursday 10 September 2015 16:01 BST
Comments
(Joel Ryan / PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The lead singer of R.E.M has a message for Donald Trump and other politicians using his music during campaign trails: “Go f**k yourself.

The band’s 1987 song, ”It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” was used to rouse the crowd at a Tea Party rally at the US Capitol on Wednesday as Trump emerged. After a slew of horrified tweets from fans, lead singer Michael Stipe reacted with fury that their music had been used via R.E.M bassist Mike Mill’s Twitter feed.

Mills was more reluctant to blast trump publicly for fear of giving him even more of a platform. "Personally, I think the Orange Clown will do anything for attention,” he wrote in a separate tweet. “I hate giving it to him."

R.E.M also issued a general statement reiterating their opposition to the song and any of the music being used by Trump or other political candidates. "While we 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, let us remember that there are things of greater importance at stake here.

“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.”

In March, Stipe also told Indiana Governor Michael Pence to go f**k himself after he signed a discriminatory “religious freedom” bill into law.

Hi latest rant came after Frankie Sullivan, the co-founder of Survivor, expressed his anger at his song "Eye of the Tiger" being used by Mike Huckabee as a triumphant Kim Davis was freed from prison on Tuesday. The Kentucky county clerk was detained after refusing to grant gay and lesbian couples marriage licenses. Sullivan reacted with horror to the move, writing: “NO! We did not grant Kim Davis any rights to use ‘My Tune -The Eye Of The Tiger.’ I would not grant her the rights to use Charmin! C’mom Mike, you are not The Donald but you can do better than that."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in