Don't mess with RiRi.
Rihanna was not playing when she said Donald Trump would not be playing her music at his events "for much longer." Just one day after the "Lemon" singer pulled an Olivia Pope (basically telling her fans "it's handled") after a reporter informed her that the President played her song "Don't Stop the Music" at a Tennessee rally, her legal team fired off a cease-and-desist letter to Trump.
"It has come to our attention that President Trump has utilized [Rihanna’s] musical compositions and master recordings, including her hit track 'Don’t Stop the Music,' in connection with a number of political events held across the United States," Rihanna’s legal team wrote in the letter, obtained by Rolling Stone, addressed to Trump’s White House counsel. "As you are or should be aware, Ms. Fenty has not provided her consent to Mr. Trump to use her music. Such use is therefore improper." The letter additionally stated, "Trump’s unauthorized use of Ms. Fenty’s music… creates a false impression that Ms. Fenty is affiliated with, connected to or otherwise associated with Trump."
On Sunday (November 4), Rihanna was informed by Washington Post reporter Philip Rucker that Trump was using her song at a rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee. "It’s been said a million times, but here’s a million and one — Trump’s rallies are unlike anything else in politics. Currently, Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ is blaring in Chattanooga as aides toss free Trump T-shirts into the crowd, like a ball game. Everyone’s loving it,” Philip tweeted.
It didn't take long for the tweet to find it's way to Rihanna, who, like a boss, responded: "Not for much longer…me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up philip!"
Rihanna joins a long list of artists who have taken legal action against Trump's usage of their music. Pharrell Williams, Steven Tyler, and Prince's estate have all recently sent cease-and-desist letters to Trump regarding his playing of their songs at his rallies.
Photo: Getty Images