Pop
Prince and Guns N' Roses' music blocked from Melania Trump film
Prince’s estate allegedly blocked his music from appearing in Melania because theydidn't think the late star would want his work "associated with Donald Trump'.
Prince’s estate is said to have refused permission for his music to appear in Melania, the documentary centred on former First Lady Melania Trump, according to one of the film’s producers.
Marc Beckman, who served as a senior adviser to Melania Trump and worked on the Brett Ratner‑directed project, told Variety he was initially informed that a Prince track could be licensed for the film.
That approval was later withdrawn, he claims, after the late musician’s estate objected to any association.
Beckman said: “We were literally ready to go, and then the lawyer representing the estate said, ‘Prince would never want his song associated with Donald Trump.’ And we’re like, ‘But it’s not a Donald Trump film. He appears occasionally, but this is Melania’s story. It’s not political.’ And that was the end of it. It was ridiculous.”
He added that Prince’s estate wasn’t the only one to decline.
Beckman said attempts to secure music from Guns N’ Roses also fell apart because the band members couldn’t agree.
He alleged: “They’re split politically. One of them said, ‘You got it, go,’ and the other said, ‘There’s just no way.’ We needed everyone’s approval, so that was a disappointment.”
Grace Jones also reportedly declined permission for similar reasons.
Beckman said her team “couldn’t get past the political hurdle,” despite his insistence that the documentary does not focus on policy or political messaging.
However, he noted that some artists were unexpectedly open to licensing their work — though he refused to identify them.
He said: “Some of the artists you would never think would say yes jumped on it right away.
“But I promised I wouldn’t name them. Some are afraid their fanbase, which is very liberal and progressive, would turn on them. There’s no reason for me to hurt anyone.”
Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood and Phantom Thread director Paul Thomas Anderson issued a joint statement expressing frustration that a piece of Greenwood’s score was used without consulting him.
They said: “Universal failed to consult Jonny on this third‑party use, which is a breach of his composer agreement."
Beckman admitted the criticism stung.
He said: “Radiohead is one of my all‑time favourite bands.
“For them to publicly distance themselves — it’s just part of the unfortunate time we’re living in. We made a film that doesn’t get into political policy. The music in that moment is perfect, and we were thrilled to include it. We paid top dollar for all the music.”
