- Laura Branigan, who died in 2004, is known for her hit 1982 single "Gloria."
- A video that circulated on Twitter showed Donald
Trump Jr. filming in a backstage tent in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, where "Gloria" played in the background and the "Save America" rally was broadcast on monitors. - Branigan's manager, Kathy Golik, said in a tweet that it "absolutely appalling" to hear "Gloria" being played before pro-Trump rioters sieged the US Capitol Building on Wednesday.
- Golik said Branigan's legacy management company never granted Trump permission to use "Gloria," adding: "we strongly & vehemently DO NOT condone yesterday's events at the Capitol."
The manager for the late singer Laura Branigan, known for her 1982 single "Gloria," condemned the Trump team's apparent use of the song ahead of the "Save America" rally that led to a siege of the US Capitol Building on Wednesday in Washington, DC.
During the rally, President Donald Trump fired up his crowd of supporters by saying he would join them in marching to the Capitol Building in protest of the certification of President-elect Joe Biden. After the rally, Trump left in a motorcade and watched on cable news as rioters violently ransacked the Capitol, bringing Congress to a recess and forcing lawmakers, staffers, and members of the press to seek shelter.
Five fatalities have been confirmed in connection with Wednesday's violence.
In the video that circulated on Twitter, Donald Trump Jr. uses "selfie" mode to show a tent outside President Trump's rally, where members of the Trump family gathered to watch a broadcast of the protest on monitors.
Branigan's song "Gloria" plays in the background, and at one point, Trump Jr. shows his girlfriend and Trump advisor Kimberly Guilfoyle dancing to the
A tweet from The Telegraph shows Trump Jr.'s video.
—The Telegraph (@Telegraph) January 8, 2021
Branigan, who died in 2004, has a verified Twitter account that's operated by her legacy manager, Kathy Golik. Golik took to the account on Thursday to respond to the video that appeared to be filmed by Trump Jr.
Golik wrote that President Trump had "no permission to use 'Gloria'" and added that Branigan's legacy management company never granted the president endorsement.
"We strongly & vehemently DO NOT condone yesterday's events at the Capitol," Golik wrote on Thursday.
—Laura Branigan (@laurabranigan) January 7, 2021
In another message, Golik called it "absolutely appalling" to hear Branigan's song being played "given the tragic, unsettling, & shameful happenings that occurred at the US Capitol."
—Laura Branigan (@laurabranigan) January 7, 2021
"It's very sad & upsetting to see Laura's beautiful memory & legacy have any association w/ Pres. Trump & such a dark day in US history," Golik added. "Neither Laura, nor her music, deserve any unwarranted fallout due to the actions of others."
—Laura Branigan (@laurabranigan) January 7, 2021
In September 2020, Trump's Air Force One arrived at a Freeland, Michigan, rally held in an airport hangar with "Gloria" playing.
At the time, Tommy Bayiokos, a former drummer for Branigan's band, told the New York Daily News he thought Branigan would have been "honored" to hear her song being played at Trump's Michigan rally because she "had a flair for the dramatic."
However, on Wednesday, Bayiokos took to Twitter to condemn the Trump family's apparent use of "Gloria."
"Saddens me of today's events. I wish Trump would refrain from playing "Gloria"...- it's not a hockey game! I initially thought it was a one time deal months ago, but today's havoc was shameful. Praying for our country and law enforcement," Bayiokos tweeted.
Musicians and their families have previously condemned Trump's use of their songs. Steven Tyler, Rihanna, Elton John, and the estate of Tom Petty have stated they don't want the president using their music or have reportedly sent cease-and-desist notices to the Trump team. Former Creedence Clearwater Revival member John Fogerty has also been a vocal critic of the president and his use of his song "Fortunate Son."
Branigan's legacy manager, Kathy Golik, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.