Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) faced a frosty reception at the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) conference in Boston on Thursday, where he was greeted with a chorus of boos from the audience. As Vance began his speech, he was met with immediate jeers. However, the introductory music played as he approached the microphone drew significant attention on social media.
Critics were particularly harsh about the choice of song, which many found out of place for the occasion.
The Trump campaign has recently struggled to secure popular music for its events. This difficulty is part of a broader backlash against Trump’s use of copyrighted music. On Thursday, Swedish pop icons ABBA demanded that their songs be pulled from Trump’s rallies. ABBA’s record label, Universal Music Publishing AB and Polar Music International AB, issued a statement revealing they had not granted permission for their music’s use and requested its removal.
ABBA joins a growing list of artists frustrated with Trump’s use of their music, including The Foo Fighters, Céline Dion, Beyoncé, Johnny Marr of The Smiths, and the estates of late artists Sinéad O’Connor and Isaac Hayes. Dion recently criticized the use of her hit “My Heart Will Go On,” expressing bewilderment at its inclusion in Trump’s events.
Recently, Trump campaign was forced to remove a video featuring Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” after her label contested its use. Similarly, Adele, Aerosmith, and Guns N’ Roses have previously voiced their disapproval of Trump’s use of their music, with Guns N’ Roses’ Axl Rose notably criticizing the exploitation of licensing loopholes.
In light of these ongoing controversies, one social media user remarked, “Looks like they found an artist that will let them use their music, at least!”
The choice of song played as Vance was introduced prompted a wave of negative reactions, with one user commenting, “That hillbilly music tho,” while another quipped, “Playing yeehaw music in Boston was a top-level decision.”
Further critique came with one user declaring, “That song is a crime against decency,” and another stating, “That honky tonk music made me choke on my coffee.” Yet another user added, “First mistake: That cornpone music doesn’t play in Boston.”
Check out the comments below:
here's a longer video of JD Vance getting booed in Boston by a firefighters group pic.twitter.com/dHcCKbiUpR
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 29, 2024
That hillbilly music tho 🤣 pic.twitter.com/UAGS72pVvb
— ₿itcoin Miser (@bitcoinmiser) August 29, 2024
not sure what kind of walk-out music I was expecting, but it wasn't that shit lol
— jack of all trades, master of none (@shadyskyy) August 29, 2024
Playing yeehaw music in Boston was a top-level decision. 👍
— Da Bag (@DaBag) August 29, 2024
Heck of a song to play for a tech bro.
— NW Pete (@ptv1024) August 29, 2024
Looks like they found an artist that will let them use their music, at least!
— Kris Agen (@agen_kris) August 29, 2024
What is this song? It’s incredible. 😂😂😂
— chris (@chrish2122) August 29, 2024
That song is a crime against decency
— Myrtle McK 🏳️🌈 for 🪷 (@Myrtle_Tee) August 29, 2024
That music! I can't 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
— ℜ𝔞𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔢𝔩 𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔢 🤘💜 (@LaMantraMori666) August 29, 2024
That song just screams Boston. 😆
— Ⓜ️egan (@MeganLeazes) August 29, 2024
Country music sucks, but that intro song is next level garbage.#yikes #iykyk
— VonVonTheNutGuy (@VonVonTheNutGuy) August 29, 2024
That song though.. lol
— terrell (@terrellbarron16) August 29, 2024
So he’s got his own entrance music now.
— John F. Clark (@JohnFredClark) August 29, 2024
That honky tonk music made me choke on my coffee 😂😂😂
— QueDub07 (@QueDub07) August 29, 2024
First mistake: That cornpone music doesn't play in Boston.
— STFU Donny (@mcgregor1956) August 29, 2024
