During Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana, on August 9, the iconic ballad My Heart Will Go On (1998) by Celine Dion blared through the speakers just before the Republican candidate took the stage.
What seemed like an emotional and grand entrance quickly turned into a moment of ridicule — at least in the eyes of the Canadian diva and much of the American public.
On August 10, Dion’s management team posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter), condemning Trump’s campaign for the unauthorized use of her song.
“Today, Celine Dion’s management and Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc. became aware of the unauthorized use of video footage, musical performance recordings, and images of Celine Dion performing My Heart Will Go On at a Donald Trump/JD Vance campaign rally in Montana. This use was not authorized in any way, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use,” the statement read.
The post ended with a sharp jab: “Really… that song?” — written in all caps, a mocking nod to Trump’s tone-deaf choice.
The irony didn’t go unnoticed. The world-famous ballad — synonymous with the sinking of the Titanic — hardly makes a flattering metaphor for a presidential campaign.
To make matters worse, hours before landing in Bozeman, Trump’s campaign plane was forced to divert to Billings due to a technical issue.
Many Americans called the song choice a “perfect metaphor” for the apparent decline of Trump’s campaign. Some even joked that a “Harris spy” must have sabotaged the event. Social media erupted:
“Trump’s rally is playing My Heart Will Go On — is his staff trolling him?”
“Sounds like a distress signal from a sinking ship.”
“Trump just compared himself to the Titanic.”
The statement from Dion came as Trump’s campaign faced a difficult day. A New York Times poll released on August 9 showed Kamala Harris leading Trump in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — all key swing states.
According to Variety, Trump has previously used Dion’s songs at political events. In this latest instance, he reportedly personally chose to play the Titanic track — a decision that could now bring legal consequences.
Over the years, Trump has been accused of using multiple hit songs without permission, including “Without You” by Harry Nilsson, “Mercy, Mercy Me” by Marvin Gaye, “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton, and several tracks by Elvis Presley.
Celine’s reaction, dripping with sarcasm, summed it up best: some songs just aren’t meant to keep a sinking ship afloat. 🚢🎤