President Trump Shares Personal Air Force One Playlist with Press Corps
President Trump shared his curated music playlist with reporters aboard Air Force One, highlighting his musical tastes despite past artist objections.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — President Trump offered a glimpse into his personal musical preferences while traveling aboard Air Force One, telling journalists that his goal was to keep them happy.
The unusual interaction occurred shortly before 10 p.m. on Sunday. Staffers had previously inquired if the press corps would like to listen to a selection of tracks chosen by the president while he worked.
According to a report from The Telegraph, the playlist featured a diverse mix of tracks, including Dolly Parton’s Jolene, ABBA’s Fernando, Luciano Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma, The Who’s Baba O’Riley, and the entrance theme for the WWE’s Undertaker.
Trump eventually entered the press cabin to gauge the reaction of the reporters. He asked if everyone was satisfied with the music, to which a journalist responded that they enjoyed it. The president noted that he had already held a press conference earlier that day and wanted to provide some pleasant music for the flight.
When asked if he personally curated the list, Trump confirmed he selected the songs himself. White House press pool records indicated the music was broadcast through a large speaker from a list titled APPROVED RALLY PLAYLIST.
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The collection also included tracks such as Lesley Gore’s You Don’t Own Me, Cat Stevens’ Wild World, REM’s Losing My Religion, and Guns N’ Roses’ November Rain. Reflecting on the late Dolly Parton, Trump remarked that she was the greatest and expressed sadness over her passing.
Trump emphasized his personal affinity for music, stating that it is a source of happiness for him. However, the playlist included several artists who have previously objected to their work being featured at his political events.
In August 2024, ABBA demanded that the Trump campaign cease using their songs after tracks like Dancing Queen and The Winner Takes It All were played at rallies. A spokesperson for Universal Music confirmed that the band requested the immediate removal of their music from campaign materials.
The family of the late Luciano Pavarotti also previously voiced opposition to the use of his music in 2016. His widow, Nicoletta Mantovani Pavarotti, and his three daughters stated that the singer’s values of brotherhood and solidarity were incompatible with the worldview of the candidate.
Known for his hands-on approach to event music, the president is reportedly referred to as DJ T by regulars at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Sources noted that he maintains strict control over the volume and selection of music played on the club’s dining patio, which often includes Broadway hits like The Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
