That Sound You're Hearing Is Freddie Mercury Spinning In His Grave

By Kristy Puchko | Politics | July 19, 2016 |

The Republican National Convention has kicked off with all kinds of almost laughable madness, from Scott Baio going full-on MRA, to Paul Ryan pissing off the whole of Cleveland by waving a Terrible Towel, and Melania Trump whole-sale stealing a Michelle Obama speech. But The Donald himself has insulted rock royalty with the choice of his intro anthem.

EW reports Donald Trump took to the stage at the RNC with Queen’s “We are the Champions” resounding in the auditorium. On a surface level, the ultimate sports anthem makes sense for the Cheeto-American’s campaign, as it boasts lines like “no time for losers.” But considering Queen was led by a bisexual man, the always outrageous and extraordinary Freddie Mercury, there’s also a jarring element to playing the jam before a party that’s made toppling LGBTQA rights a part of their platform.

This isn’t the first time that Trump’s invoked the anthem. Last June, Surviving Queen member Brian May responded with dismay when fans made him aware of the use, promising a fan via posted reply, “I will make sure we take what steps we can to dissociate ourselves from Donald Trump’s unsavoury campaign.”

He followed up with a more thorough statement on his personal site:

I’ve had an avalanche of complaints - some of which you can see in our ‘LETTERS’ page - about Donald Trump using our We Are The Champions track as his ‘theme’ song on USA TV. This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool. Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy.

May has been calm about the song’s use, Twitter less so.

The sound u hear is Freddie Mercury rolling over in his grave.
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) July 19, 2016

@TheFix Think about this @DrBrianMay is a vegan, animal rights astrophysicist who already demanded Trump stop using it
— tammyinlalaland (@tammyinlalaland) July 19, 2016

@costareports And overlooks the meaning/irony of the lyrics as the Great Ronald Reagan did with "Born in the USA"
— David (@ATHOMEINBKLYN) July 19, 2016

So let me get this straight: Trump comes out to Queen, Freddie Mercury died of AIDS, and Pence did this. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/kTZVoKaT1v
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) July 19, 2016

Trump comes out to Freddie Mercury, who the GOP platform would send to ex-gay therapy.
— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) July 19, 2016

GOP would have been split on whether to deport Freddie Mercury or send him to a Pray the Gay Away camp.
— Scott Beggs (@scottmbeggs) July 19, 2016

Freddie Mercury died of AIDS. He was a queer immigrant of non Euro heritage. Glad Trump used his music with dry ice. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— Melania Trump (@SaraJBenincasa) July 19, 2016

These people would deny Freddie Mercury a wedding cake but yeah sure use his song.
— Courtney Enlow (@courtenlow) July 19, 2016

FREDDIE MERCURY IS SPITTING ON YOU AND YOUR HATEFUL HOMOPHOBIC AGENDA FROM HEAVEN WHERE HE IS HAVING GAY SEX WITH LINCOLN
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 19, 2016