MUSIC giants EMI have ordered a YouTube video showing a puppet Donald Trump singing the Queen hit Bohemian Rhapsody to be taken off the site.
The video was made by campaigners against Trump’s Scottish golf resort who got written permission from Queen guitarist Brian May to rework the smash hit.
But EMI today insisted they had the rights over the track and confirmed they were taking steps to remove the video, which has been viewed at least 19,000 times.
This message appeared on YouTube after video was removed
The Edinburgh-based creator of the seven minute film, Hazel Cameron, vowed to put the video back up as soon as EMI took it down.
“I’ll fight until Brian May himself tells me to take it down,” she said.
New York-based billionaire Trump is creating a luxury golf resort at Menie, on the Aberdeenshire coast, which has incensed many environmental campaigners.
Ms Cameron wrote to May asking for permission to use Bohemian Rhapsody for her video and got enthusiastic backing from the musician within four hours.
The video shows a three-foot high Trump puppet, long hair blowing wildly in the wind, singing to the song while images of unspoilt coastline, construction work and protesters are shown in the background.
Despite approaching 20,000 hits since it was uploaded on Sunday, and a rapturous response from campaigners, EMI have taken a dim view of the project.
Donald Trump puppet at the Links course
A spokesperson for the record label said: “We will be having the song/parody removed from YouTube as it has not been authorised by EMI Music Publishing.”
Ms Cameron, who spent 18 months making the film, was appalled.
“I can’t believe this. I have permission from Brian May himself to use this song and as far as I knew, that would have been enough,” she said.
“I don’t know why they would want to take it down. It’s got over 19,000 hits and it’s generating revenue for them on YouTube. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
“Nobody else has objected to it. Queen fans are loving it and I have a personal letter from Brian May saying that I have his blessing.
“He took the time to write me a letter and it would be such a shame if they tried to take it down.”
She added: “If they take it down, I’ll just put it back up again. Brian was the one who gave me the permission and as far as I am concerned, he is the only one I will respect to take it down.
“I’m not afraid of these big names, I don’t have fear for people unless I respect them.”
May, in his reply to Ms Cameron, said he wanted to show his “disgust” at Mr Trump’s resort.
Trump puppet cost £1000 to make
He wrote: “I can see there is a horrible example, here, of bullying the defenceless, by a rich man who apparently can buy anyone and anything he wants. I deplore this kind of abuse.
He continued: “I will do what I can to bring it a little more out in the open. I’m happy to secure you permission to try this yourself.”
In the video, a leathery-looking latex Trump sings: “This is the real thing, living the fantasy, started a landslide, no escaping our destiny. Open your eyes, look up and you’ll see me, I’m just a rich kid, I’m no nonentity.”
