Fans Think Elton John Is Pro-Trump Based on 40-Second Interview Clip — Is He?

Singer, songwriter, and pianist Sir Elton John’s political stance is in the spotlight again after a recent 40-second interview clip with Variety surfaced. In the clip, Elton doesn’t appear to show any ill feelings toward Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate and former president. Instead, he seems somewhat pleased while discussing him.

At one point during the interview, Elton says, “Donald’s always been a fan of mine and he’s been to my concerts many, many times, um, so I mean, I’ve always been friendly to him.” He adds, “I thank him for his support."

Now, many are wondering if Elton is a Trump supporter and what are his political views. Here's what we know.

Elton doesn’t appear to be a Trump supporter per se but is certainly appreciative of the former president’s support. During the Variety interview, the interviewer blatantly states, “I know that you’re not a supporter of Donald Trump’s,” and Elton didn’t refute that.

The commentator continued, “How did it feel when he [Trump] took the lyrics from "Rocket Man" and used it as a nickname for Kim Jong Un?” Elton replied, “I laughed, I thought it was brilliant, good on you Donald, I’m the Rocket Man.”

While the short clip has been making its rounds, raising questions about which side of the political fence Elton stands on, the full interview suggests Elton isn’t actually pro-Trump. He does, however, say, “I just want people to vote for things that are important to people: the right to choose, the right to be who you are, and not let anybody else tell you who to be. And that goes all the way up to the Supreme Court.”

People were up in arms over Elton John's music being played at a 2020 RNC, specifically during Ivanka Trump's speech. Elton's "I'm Still Standing" was played, prompting fans to question whether he knew and was okay with it.

"Does Elton John know that the RNC Convention is playing his music again?" one person tweeted. Another even directly tweeted at the music icon, writing, "@eltonofficial Are you aware is using YOUR music at the RNC? Out American popstars would never allow that. Sue him?"

Here's where things got complicated. Back in 2020, both Elton John and Mick Jagger signed an open letter that called for a ban on politicians using their music when it's unauthorized. (Cyndi Lauper, Lorde, R.E.M., Linkin Park, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Sia, Blondie, Sheryl Crow, Green Day and Panic! at the Disco are other musicians who joined this, according to Metro). But Elton and Trump weren't always at odds.

In fact, Elton performed at Trump and Melania's wedding back in 2005. However, when Trump asked Elton if he could perform at his inauguration, Elton refused.

Elton wrote Trump a hand-written note, saying "I have given it at lot of thought, and as a British National I don’t feel that it’s appropriate for me to play at the inauguration of an American President. Please accept my apologies.”

Elton did, however, hope Trump would fight against HIV/AIDS, which made it seem like Elton had at least some faith in Trump's presidency.

Elton wrote Trump a hand-written note, saying "I have given it at lot of thought, and as a British National I don’t feel that it’s appropriate for me to play at the inauguration of an American President. Please accept my apologies.”

Elton did hope Trump would fight against HIV/AIDS, which made it seem like Elton had at least some faith in Trump's presidency.

In fact, in this video, Elton claimed that Trump could be the president who would fight and stop HIV/AIDS, something very near and dear to Elton's heart.

But it seems like Elton joined the group of musicians who didn't want any part in Trump's events or his politics, and they didn't want to be associated with him. Part of the open letter many musicians sent stated: 

"Being dragged unwillingly into politics in this way can compromise an artist’s personal values while disappointing and alienating fans – with great moral and economic cost,’ the letter states.  ‘For artists that do choose to engage politically in campaigns or other contexts, this kind of unauthorised public use confuses their message and undermines their effectiveness. ‘Music tells powerful stories and drives emotional connection and engagement – that’s why campaigns use it, after all! But doing so without permission siphons away that value."

In the case of Elton specifically, it was reported, per Metro, that Trump reached out to Elton's team and asked if he could use his music at his events, but Elton "put a block to this event before Trump would press play, with a rep stating: 'Elton's music has not been requested for use in any official capacity by Donald Trump. Any use of his music should not be seen as an endorsement of Donald Trump by Elton."

Now that it’s all in the past, it seems Elton is happy to have Trump as a supporter but is not conflating that with his own political views. According to him, all he's concerned with is that "I love love. I'm a loving person, and I want that to come back to America. I feel it's been lost in the last 12 years."