THE Rolling Stones are setting the record straight after claims surfaced that the legendary rock band supported a new film about Melania Trump.
According to sources close to the group, the band was not directly involved in the production and did not personally endorse the project.
The controversy centres on the use of the Stones’ classic track “Gimme Shelter” in the opening of Melania, a film about Melania Trump’s return to the White House ahead of Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025.
Why This Matters
Clarifying that the Stones didn’t personally back the Melania Trump film matters because it separates licensing business from artistic endorsement, protects the band’s political neutrality, and underscores artists’ control over how their music is used and perceived.
Producer Marc Beckman reportedly suggested the band had been supportive of the movie, but representatives for the Stones say the song’s use was handled through standard licensing channels by rights holder ABKCO, not by the band members themselves, according to Radar Online.
Sources close to Mick Jagger say any suggestion that he or the group creatively or politically backed the film is misleading.
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The band has long been protective of how its music is used, especially in political settings, and has previously objected to Donald Trump using its songs at rallies.
A spokesperson for the Stones emphasised that the licensing was a business matter and that the musicians were not part of the decision-making around the film.
Beckman, meanwhile, defended the movie as nonpolitical and said the team believed they were making a positive, story-driven film rather than a political statement.
The dispute has reignited the long-running tension between Donald Trump and major music artists, with the Rolling Stones joining a list of performers who have publicly resisted being linked to Trump-related events or messaging.
