John Fogerty says he’s confused over why President Donald Trump would want to use Creedence Clearwater Revival‘s classic song “Fortunate Son” during his campaign rallies.
In a video posted to Facebook on Friday (Sept. 11), the 75-year-old musician explained that he wrote “Fortunate Son” in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War to express his frustration about wealthy people using their power and influence to avoid being drafted.
“It’s a song I could’ve written now, so I find it confusing, I would say, that the president has chosen to use my song for his political rallies, when in fact it seems like he is probably the ‘Fortunate Son,'” said Fogerty, who was drafted and served in the military.
The singer/songwriter’s video message appears to be in response to the Trump campaign playing “Fortunate Son” as the president stepped off Air Force One for a Thursday rally in Freeland, Michigan.
In the video, Fogerty also recited the opening lines from “Fortunate Son” in reference to the president using federal troops in early June to clear protestors at Washington, D.C.’s Lafayette Park for a photo-op at St. John’s Church.
“That’s exactly what happened recently in Lafayette Park when the president decided to take a walk across the park,” Fogerty said. “He cleared out the area using federal troops so that he could stand in front of St. John’s church with a Bible.”
Fogerty is one of many artist speaking out against Trump for using their music at his rallies. Over the years, dozens of acts have criticized the president and issued cease-and-desist notices for unauthorized use, including Tom Petty, Neil Young, R.E.M., Rihanna, Pharrell, Guns N’ Roses and Steven Tyler.
Watch Fogerty’s full video below.
