Rachel Platten doesn’t ‘approve or endorse’ performance of ‘Fight Song’ at Trump inaugural ball
UPDATE: In a series of tweets, the Piano Guys — a Utah-based music group which became popular on YouTube and is comprised of Paul Anderson, Al van der Beek, Steven Sharp Nelson, and Jon Schmidt — responded to the backlash to their performance Friday night at one of President Donald Trump’s inaugural balls of Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song,” one that became an anthem of Hillary Clinton campaign rallies last year.
“Our performance tonight, which combined ‘Fight Song’ and ‘Amazing Grace’ had nothing to do with Hillary Clinton or politics,” the tweeted statement reads. “We chose to perform our version of ‘Fight Song/Amazing Grace’ — it was not endorsed by Rachel Platten. We love Rachel and we love her song.”
Our performance tonight, which combined "Fight Song" and "Amazing Grace" had nothing to do with Hillary Clinton or politics….
— ThePianoGuys (@PianoGuys) January 21, 2017
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We chose to perform our version of "Fight Song/Amazing Grace" – it was not endorsed by Rachel Platten. We love Rachel and we love her song.
— ThePianoGuys (@PianoGuys) January 21, 2017
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EARLIER: Rachel Platten is making it clear on social media, she did not know her hit “Fight Song,” which became a popular anthem at Hillary Clinton campaign rallies last year, would be performed Friday night at the Freedom Ball, one of three inaugural galas for President Donald Trump.
“While I respect the office of the President and the peaceful transfer of power,” Platten said in a series of two tweets, “I want to make clear that at no point did the Piano Guys … ask for permission, nor did I or anyone on my team know of, approve or endorse their decision to play Fight Song tonight.”
The Piano Guys played a mash-up of Platten’s song and “Amazing Grace” during their set, to honor personal heroes of theirs. The 2015 hit was closely associated with the former Secretary of State, so much so that celebrities made an a cappella version that aired at the Democratic National Convention.
Some social media users also weren’t pleased with the Trump association. “Just feels wrong to play Clinton theme song at trump inauguration #fightsong #inauguration,” one wrote.
“NEVER DISRESPECT FIGHT SONG,” another strongly asserted, while a parody account for former Vice President Joe Biden’s wife Jill said, “Someone hold my earrings.”
See video of the performance below, via CNN, as well as sampling of those tweets.
The Piano Guys play "Fight Song" at Trump #InauguralBall, Clinton campaign's signature song https://t.co/fL7kR3tVxj https://t.co/KcdEwBxbSO
— CNN (@CNN) January 21, 2017
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While I respect the office of the President and the peaceful transfer of power, I want to make clear that at at no point did the Piano Guys
— Rachel Platten (@RachelPlatten) January 21, 2017
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ask for permission, nor did I or anyone on my team know of, approve or endorse their decision to play Fight Song tonight.
— Rachel Platten (@RachelPlatten) January 21, 2017
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They're playing "Fight Song." Somebody hold my earrings. #InauguralBall
— Jill Biden (@JillBidenVeep) January 21, 2017
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Quite a troll of Clinton at the Liberty Ball right now as The Piano Guys play a string version of "Fight Song."
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 21, 2017
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I thought we were done with Fight Song https://t.co/kWUbntPQXP
— andrew kaczynski 🤔 (@KFILE) January 21, 2017
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Wait, the Piano Guys are playing "Fight Song" at one of Trump's inaugaurual balls? Somewhere, a bunch of former Clinton aides are laughing.
— Dan Merica (@danmericaCNN) January 21, 2017
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NEVER DISRESPECT FIGHT SONG.
— Emma Sandoe (@emma_sandoe) January 21, 2017
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Trump has given Fight Song back to the people.
—
Aaron (@ArevFTW) January 21, 2017
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OKAY. WHEN I HEAR "FIGHT SONG", I THINK OF THIS WOMAN. #InagurationDay
✨
— Emily
(@empatlawrence) January 21, 2017
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Piano Guy's performing Katie Perry Fight song for Hillary !! Yet another thing Trump steals !!!
— Gail Heath (@gailmarieheath) January 21, 2017
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Question, are The Piano Guys low key throwing shade by playing Fight Song? #InauguralBall
— Sofi ♡ (@Sofi_Rodas29) January 21, 2017
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Wait, they are playing 'Fight song?' I thought AT LEAST with Trump in office it meant I wouldn't have to hear that again….
— Joshua M. Patton (@JoshuaMPatton) January 21, 2017
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Just feels wrong to play Clinton theme song at trump inauguration #fightsong #inauguration
— Natasha Warikoo (@nkwarikoo) January 21, 2017
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Piano Guys doing "Fight Song" is just mean #Inauguration
— Richard Amadril (@RichardAmadril) January 21, 2017
