Brian May Responds After Trump Uses a Queen Song

Brian May has spoken out after President Donald Trump used a Queen song in a video promoting his newly unveiled painting, MAGA Symphony.

The artwork, revealed by Trump earlier this week, portrays the former president as an orchestra conductor presiding over a lineup of well-known pro-Trump figures. Among them are the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk playing violin, press secretary Karoline Leavitt on harp, and Trump’s former ally Elon Musk wielding an electric guitar.

Painted by Jon McNaughton, the piece was shared by Trump on Truth Social alongside Queen’s song “Who Wants to Live Forever.”

Brian May Reacts to Trump’s ‘MAGA Symphony’ Post

May addressed the situation in an Instagram post on Wednesday (Feb. 4), noting that many people had been sending him the clip and asking for his thoughts.

“It was recently posted using our music (without permission) on something called ‘Truth Socials’ by the current president of the United States of America,” the guitarist wrote. “The music is ‘Who Wants to Live Forever,’ and I’ve now realized that Instagram is muting the sound on this post of mine in ‘multiple regions.’”

He went on to describe the painting, pointing out that it depicts prominent Republicans as members of an imaginary orchestra, with Trump cast as the conductor. Rather than offering an immediate judgment, May invited followers to share their own reactions first.

The Queen guitarist then listed a wide range of possible responses, asking whether people found the image inspiring, appalling, laughable, narcissistic, artistic, inappropriate, or simply not worth discussing. He also questioned how the band should feel about it, asking whether Queen ought to object, applaud, feel offended, be honored, or remain indifferent. “My comments page is yours!!! Try to keep it clean!” he added, signing off with, “Cheers – Bri.”

Fan Response to the Painting

As expected, many fans reacted critically in the comments, expressing disapproval of both the artwork and the unapproved use of “Who Wants to Live Forever.”

One commenter argued that Trump represents everything the song stands against, contrasting its themes of humanity, selflessness, and mortality with what they described as Trump’s pursuit of ego, control, and self-mythologizing. They criticized the use of a song rooted in love and grief to promote politics that they believe rely on division and fear.

Queen’s History of Objecting to Trump’s Music Use

This incident is not unprecedented. Queen has previously pushed back against Trump’s use of their music, objecting to “We Are the Champions” being played during his 2016 Republican National Convention appearance. In 2019, the band also blocked footage from a Trump rally that featured “We Will Rock You.”

May has also recently expressed hesitation about touring the U.S. with Queen. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he described the country as “a dangerous place at the moment,” adding that while Queen has deep roots in America and affection for it, the situation has changed enough that many artists are now reconsidering touring there.