Donald Trump’s campaign posted a video using the movie’s audio as part of a fund-raising appeal days after he was indicted on federal charges.
A studio founded by the actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck denounced former President Donald J. Trump’s use of audio from its movie “Air” in a campaign video posted online over the weekend.
The video, shared on Truth Social early Saturday, featured a nearly two-and-a-half-minute monologue from the movie that played alongside photos and videos depicting Mr. Trump throughout his life.
It was posted, alongside a fund-raising appeal, days after Mr. Trump was indicted on federal charges that he illegally kept possession of national security documents after leaving office and obstructed efforts to return them. He is expected to make his first court appearance in the case on Tuesday.
Artists Equity, Mr. Damon and Mr. Affleck’s production studio, aired its objection to the campaign video on Twitter later Saturday.
“We had no foreknowledge of, did not consent to and do not endorse or approve any footage or audio from ‘Air’ being repurposed by the Trump campaign as a political advertisement or for any other use,” the organization wrote.
“Air” features Mr. Affleck and Mr. Damon, who both have a history of supporting Democrats. The film, a biographical drama, recounts how Nike ascended to a household name by establishing a partnership with Michael Jordan, then a pro-basketball rookie, to create the Air Jordan shoes.
The campaign video includes audio of Mr. Damon saying “money can buy you almost anything. It can’t buy you immortality — that, you have to earn,” as an image shows Mr. Trump walking away from a helicopter.
The video remained on Truth Social as of Monday afternoon. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to inquiries seeking comment.
A line of celebrities and production studios have publicly disavowed the use of their works during Mr. Trump’s campaigns. In 2018, HBO criticized Mr. Trump’s imitation of material from its television show “Game of Thrones.” And artists including Neil Young, Pharrell and Rihanna have objected to the use of their music during campaign rallies.
Source: Elections - nytimes.com
