The Presidential candidate broke promise after promise to Freedom Kids.
Earlier in Donald Trump’s campaign, you may remember a gamble in the form of Freedom Kids: a terrifying pre-teen girl group singing an original song that sounded like the clarion call of the apocalypse. The placement felt like a response to ongoing list of musicians angry with Trump for playing their music without permission. It turns out even these child sirens not happy with him either.
Freedom Kids impresario Jeff Popick told the Washington Post that he plans to file a lawsuit against Trump’s campaign for violating promises. First and foremost, no one was compensated for performing ‘Freedom’s Call’, a song Popick wrote (at least lyrically, the music is just a sped up version of the WWI propaganda tune ‘Over There’) and the Freedom Girls (which includes Popick’s daughter) performed at the Pensacola rally this January.
Trump’s campaign allegedly promised Popick they could presell their CD at the rally, in lieu of monetary compensation. The presale booth never happened and when Popick attempted to contact the campaign he was ignored. Then, Trump’s campaign reportedly contacted him for a last-minute Freedom Kids performance in Des Moines.
Only after flying the girls to Chicago, was Popick told they would not be allowed to perform, but should still drive to Iowa to attend the rally in costume. Popick was forced to pay for the flights, hotel rooms and rental cars himself.
“We are owed compensation or, as the agreement is, a performance. That’s what the agreement was. In lieu of compensation, in lieu of monetary compensation, that we would have this performance,” Popick told The Post. “It was largely a verbal contract, but a contract nonetheless and on two different occasions.”
Popick has said he intends to file his lawsuit in the coming weeks and ‘Freedom’s Call’ will not be included on Freedom Kids’ upcoming album coming in September [we can’t wait!! — ed]. Though he once described himself as a “fan” of Trump, he says he has misgivings now.
“This is not a billion-dollar lawsuit … I’m doing this because I think they have to do the right thing. I’m not looking to do battle with the Trump campaign, but I have to show my girls that this is the right thing,” he said.
If Popick is still looking for a payday for his girls (which regardless of the awful content, they’re clearly owed) we’d suggest reaching out to YG. After putting Macklemore on the latest remix of his ‘Fuck Donald Trump’ anthem, he could surely find room for Freedom Kids.
