Rolling Stones warn Trump not to use their songs - or face legal action

The Rolling Stones, seen here in 2019, said "cease and desist" requests were ignored

The Rolling Stones have warned US President Donald Trump that he could face legal action if he continues using their songs at his campaign rallies.

A statement from the band's legal team said it was working with the performing rights organisation, the BMI, to stop the unauthorised use of their music.

The Trump campaign used the song You Can't Always Get What You Want at last week's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The same song was used by the Trump campaign during the 2016 US election.

"The Rolling Stones do not endorse Donald Trump," the band tweeted in 2016.

In a statement released on Saturday, representatives for the group said that "further steps to exclude" Mr Trump from using Rolling Stones material in future presidential campaigning was necessary after previous "cease and desist directives" had been ignored.

The BMI has reportedly notified the Trump campaign on behalf of the Stones that the use of their songs without permission will constitute a breach of its licensing agreement, and would be subject to legal action.

• Tulsa rally fails to draw expected crowds amid virus fears

• Rolling Stones release their first new song in eight years

In April, the Rolling Stones - fronted by 76-year-old singer Sir Mick Jagger - released their first new single in eight years, Living In A Ghost Town.

Earlier this month, the family of rock musician Tom Petty issued a cease and desist letter to the Trump campaign over the unauthorised use of his song I Won't Back Down at the Tulsa rally.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the family said that the late artist would "never want a song of his used for a campaign of hate".

Skip Twitter post by @tompettyTom Petty ✔@tompetty 485K 3:22 AM - Jun 21, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 122K people are talking about this Report End of Twitter post by @tompetty

Petty died in 2017 of an accidental drug overdose after taking painkillers, aged 66.

Campaigning will continue in the coming months as Mr Trump prepares to face Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden in November's presidential election.