THE BEAST

Axl Rose says that the Trump administration is using "loopholes" in the various venues' blanket performance licenses to play GUNS N' ROSES music at his recent rallies.

Rose's latest comments appear to be in response to President Donald Trump's campaign airing the GN'R song "Sweet Child O' Mine" at his West Virginia rally on Friday.

The GN'R frontman clarified the band's stance on Trump in a series of tweets on Sunday. He wrote: "Just so ya know... GNR like a lot of artists opposed to the unauthorized use of their music at political events has formally requested r music not b used at Trump rallies or Trump associated events.

"Unfortunately the Trump campaign is using loopholes in the various venues’ blanket performance licenses which were not intended for such craven political purposes, without the songwriters' consent.

"Can u say 'shitbags?!'"

What Rose is referring to is the fact that campaigns are often able to procure blanket licenses from performing rights organizations such as American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), when the rallies are held in major public venues such as convention centers and arenas.

Rose added: "Personally I kinda liked the irony of Trump supporters listening to a bunch of anti Trump music at his rallies but I don't imagine a lot of 'em really get that or care.

"And when ur phone's blowin' up cuz peeps r seein'/hearin' Sweet Child on the news at a rally... as a band we felt we should clarify r position. Peace!"

Axl is no fan of the current occupant of the Oval Office, having taken to Twitter a number of times in the past couple of years to slam Trump, his administration and his policies.

The singer latter offered: "Having said that my personal position is that the Trump administration along w/the majority of Republicans in Congress n' their donors that support him 4 their own agendas r doing r nation a disservice. Who will stop at nothing 4 power feeding off the anger n' resentment he sows 24/7 while constantly whining how whatever doesn't go his way is unfair.

"Most of us in America have never experienced anything this obscene at this level in r lifetimes n' if we as a country don't wake up n' put an end 2 this nonsense now it's something we definitely will all pay hard 4 as time goes on."

This isn't the first time Trump has come under fire by artists for using their popular music without permission. AEROSMITH, THE ROLLING STONES, Neil Young and Tom Petty have all demanded that Trump stop playing their songs, a request that dates back to his time campaigning as the Republican presidential candidate. Via MetalSucks

Just so ya know... GNR like a lot of artists opposed to the unauthorized use of their music at political events has formally requested r music not b used at Trump rallies or Trump associated events.

— Axl Rose (@axlrose) November 4, 2018