Leonard Cohen’s estate 'exploring our legal options' after Trump plays 'Hallelujah' at RNC

Leonard Cohen’s estate is "exploring legal options" against President Donald Trump's campaign after "Hallelujah" was played during the Republican National Convention.

President Trump capped off the four-day convention Thursday night with a massive pyrotechnical display on the National Mall after formally accepting the Republican party's nomination. More than 7,800 fireworks were set off to Tori Kelly’s version of Cohen’s classic song and more tunes.

Cohen’s estate fired back at Trump's unauthorized use of "one of the most important songs in the Cohen song catalogue," saying they declined the GOP's request. The legendary singer/songwriter died in November 2016 at age 82.

"We are surprised and dismayed that the RNC would proceed knowing that the Cohen Estate had specifically declined the RNC’s use request, and their rather brazen attempt to politicize and exploit in such an egregious manner ‘Hallelujah,' " Michelle L. Rice, the Cohen estate’s lawyer, said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing was contacted by RNC representatives "on the eve of the finale of the convention" to obtain permission for a live version of the song, Brian J. Monaco, the company's President and Global Chief Marketing Officer Brian J. Monaco said in a statement to USA TODAY. "We declined their request," he added.

More: Neil Young posts lawsuit against Trump campaign over song use at political events

Rice ended her statement with a firecracker of her own: "Had the RNC requested another song, 'You Want it Darker,' for which Leonard won a posthumous Grammy in 2017, we might have considered approval of that song."

This is not the first, or second, time Trump has caught flak for song choices at his political events.

Earlier this month, Neil Young posted a lawsuit against Trump’s campaign to his Archives site, claiming it’s a copyright infringement for the president and his campaign to play “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at rallies and political events.

In June, the Rolling Stones threatened Trump with legal action for using the band's classic "You Can't Always Get What You Want" at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tom Petty's family also sent a cease-and-desist notice after "I Won't Back Down" was used during the same rally.

In June 2019, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne called out Trump's use of the 1980 hit single 'Crazy Train' in a Twitter video that mocked technical difficulties during a Democratic debate.

In October 2019, Prince's estate said Trump didn't have permission to play "Purple Rain" during a campaign rally in Minneapolis, adding that the president went back on a promise not to use the musician's work.

In August 2018, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler slammed Trump for using the hit song “Livin’ on the Edge" at a rally in Charleston, West Virginia. In August 2015 and October 2015, Tyler's legal team sent Trump a cease-and-desist letter after the then-Republican candidate used "Dream On" on the campaign trail.

In October 2018, Pharrell Williams was not "Happy" that Trump used his smash hit at a political event in the Midwest, just hours after nearly a dozen people were gunned down in a Pittsburgh synagogue. Williams also sent a cease-and-desist letter.

R.E.M. and Queen are among the other artists who have objected to the president's use of their music.

Contributing: Jennifer McClellan, William Cummings

Rolling Stones to Trump: Quit using our music at rallies or we'll sue

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Leonard Cohen’s estate responds to Trump's 'Hallelujah' usage at RNC