Steven Tyler is hoping the third time is the charm when it comes to getting President Donald Trump to stop using his music at events.
The Aerosmith frontman on Wednesday sent a cease and desist letter to Trump after “Livin’ on the Edge” was played at a Tuesday rally at the Charleston Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia. Tyler in 2015 sent then-candidate Trump two letters demanding he stop playing “Dream On” at his events. (Read all three letters below.)
The threat comes during a week of legal woes for Trump’s camp. His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort was found guilty of bank and tax fraud; his former attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance laws; and former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos told a New York judge that the president is refusing to produce documents concerning his sexual conduct towards women.
Given the history of this musical matter, Tyler’s attorney Dina LaPolt argues Trump knows he needs express written permission to use Aerosmith’s songs and therefore his conduct is willful.
“As we have made clear numerous times, Mr. Trump is creating the false impression that our client has given his consent for the use of his music, and even that he endorses the presidency of Mr. Trump,” writes LaPolt. “By using ‘Livin’ On The Edge’ without our client’s permission, Mr. Trump is falsely implying that our client, once again, endorses his campaign and/or his presidency, as evidenced by actual confusion seen from the reactions of our client’s fans all over social media.”
Tyler is giving Trump 24 hours to respond in writing that he will comply, otherwise the letter indicates the President will be facing claims for violation of privacy rights and trademark infringement, among other causes of action.
Trump’s lawyers have not yet responded to a request for comment on the letter.
