Zoe Griffin | Local & World Editor
Yann Charles | Flickr User
Singer, songwriter, and producer Pharrell Williams has threatened to sue President Donald Trump for using his song “Happy” at a political rally in Indiana on Saturday, Oct. 27, just hours after the shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Williams had his lawyer, Howard King, issue a letter to President Trump informing him that Trump did not have Williams’ permission to use this song at his rally. According to The Washington Post, the letter stated that: “Pharrell has not, and will not, grant you permission to publicly perform or otherwise broadcast or disseminate any of his music—there was nothing ‘happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday.”
Robert Bowers allegedly murdered 11 people at a Jewish Synagogue in Pittsburgh. According to his social media history, Bowers was an anti-Semite, disgusted by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and believed that Jews aided immigrants to displace white Americans. He was also a Trump supporter.
The letter also stated that the selection of this song after the mass shooting was poor timing and was “copyright infringement.”
Hampton University students who are fond of Pharrell Williams wonder have plenty to say about Williams’ reaction to the president’s use of his music.
“I feel as though it absolutely is a big deal that Donald Trump used this song right after such a national tragedy. It is insensitive and disgraceful. Pharrell has every right to sue Trump for using his song because he had no permission and because Pharrell doesn’t support him,” said third-year nursing major Rebecca Frazier.
Pharrell Williams isn’t the only
The Hampton Script 