Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne have slammed President Donald Trump for his unauthorized use of "Crazy Train" in a Twitter video mocking the 2020 Democratic primary candidates.
The video, which Trump posted Thursday morning, includes doctored footage of the technical difficulties that marred Wednesday's first Democratic primary combined with the Ozzy song, dry ice effects and Trump ambling onto the debate stage. "Trump Pence Make America Great Again! 2020" fills the screen. The doctored footage begins just after moderator Chuck Todd asks a question about the Parkland, Florida, school shooting.
In a statement posted on social media, Sharon Osbourne wrote: "Based on this morning's unauthorized use of Ozzy Osbourne ' 'Crazy Train' , we are sending notice to the Trump campaign (or any other campaigns) that they are forbidden from using any of Ozzy Osbourne 's music in political ads or in any political campaigns. Ozzy 's music cannot be used for any means without approvals. In the meantime, I have a suggestion for Mr. Trump — perhaps he should reach out to some of his musician friends. Maybe Kanye West ( 'Gold Digger' ), Kid Rock ( 'I Am The Bullgod' ) or Ted Nugent ( 'Stranglehold' ) will allow use of their music."
A year ago, Sharon said that she wakes up "afraid" knowing that Trump is the U.S. president, explaining that she doesn't "feel secure that everything will be smooth and people are in control of what they should be in control of."
Ozzy 's wife and manager, who holds dual American and British citizenship, got to know Trump when she worked with him on "The Celebrity Apprentice" , a reality show featuring A-list to mid-level celebrities battling it out to win money for their favorite charities.
Sharon previously said that she "never thought for one minute" that Trump would win the U.S. presidency, believing instead that the real estate mogul's White House run was really meant to boost his business success. "I just thought that he was building his name worldwide," she told SiriusXM 's "Jim Norton & Sam Roberts" show. "So it would be bigger in the Arab Emirate countries and bigger in Russia and China, because he's running for president, so it was good for his business overall. So I thought, 'Oh, Lord, there's gonna be Trump hotels around the world now, because it's good for the brand.' And I never thought for one minute that he would win — never."
Asked what her personal experience was like working alongside Trump , Sharon told "Jim Norton & Sam Roberts" : "To be honest with you, he was always very, very nice to me, and so was his wife; she was lovely. I felt really, really bad for her from day one, because she didn't sign up for this. She signed up for Trump hotel, and she didn't sign up for the First Lady. And some people are uncomfortable with leading such an open life and public speaking and things like that; it's not their thing. So it's very hard for her. And I think that with knowing that your husband is disliked, as well as adored by some people, but so many people dislike him, it's gotta be hard on her."
Prior to the 2016 presidential election, Sharon called Trump "disgusting" and "completely insane." She also told Conan O'Brien that she "would be terrified" if Trump were actually elected president, "because he's a narcissist," she said. "He just is — he knows that about himself.... And if somebody disagrees with him, he doesn't take it well. And to think that this man would have his hand on that button — can you imagine? He's got such a quick, fiery temper."
This isn't the first time Trump has come under fire by artists for using their popular music without permission. AEROSMITH , GUNS N' ROSES , 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.
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 their rallies are held in major public venues such as convention centers and arenas. However, artists may be able to block the songs through a contract clause which is specific to political campaigns. The BMI clause states that specific works "may be excluded" from a music license for political entities if a songwriter or publisher raises an objection. ASCAP reportedly has a similar provision.
