Donald Trump slammed as he defies Brian May and plays Queen hit

Queen fans have blasted Donald Trump for using We Are the Champions at the Republican National Convention.

The presidential candidate defied guitarist Brian May’s previous request not to use the 1977 track as he arrived on stage - bathed in blue light and surrounded by a smokescreen - in Cleveland, Ohio.

Fans tweeted their disapproval of Trump’s choice of song and said the late Freddie Mercury would be disappointed.

Others claimed the choice of track was hypocritical while others demanded Trump choose an alternative entrance track.

California’s Lt Gov Gavin Newsom, who is a Democrat, also expressed his outrage and claimed it was hypocritical to choose the track.

“[Mercury’s] music was played at a convention where the most anti-LGBT policy platform was adopted, just today,” Newsom said on Facebook. “His music, which he famously laboured over, which was intricate and complex, was played at a convention where Mike Pence, a man who has spent his political career actively looking for opportunities to pass laws that would give others the legal framework to discriminate against LGBT people, sat comfortably in a VIP box.”

He continued: “I’m not sure what Freddie Mercury would think of his music being played at the RNC convention, but I do know that if he weren’t a famous rockstar, he would have probably been greeted by a wall, a really high wall, because he represented everything that Mike Pence and Donald Trump are scared of.”

Queen acknowledged the use of their track, and confirmed they had not granted permission. A post on the band’s official Twitter read: “An unauthorised use at the Republican Convention against our wishes – Queen.”

It comes a month after May confirmed that the businessman has not sought, or been granted permission to use the track.

Writing on his website after Trump used the song at his rallies, May posted: “This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given.

“Regardless of our views on Mr Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool. Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy.”

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