Elton John thanks Donald Trump for support, says his Kim Jong Un joke was “brilliant”

Elton John has said he thought Donald Trump referring to Kim Jong Un as “little rocket man” was “brilliant”.

• Read More: The NME Big Read – Elton John: “I’m not interested in the past – not even Elton John’s past” 

The former President used John’s 1972 single ‘Rocket Man’ as the inspiration for his nickname for the North Korean dictator, and in an interview with Variety at the Toronto Film Festival, the singer has given his view on his song being used in the back-and-forth.

“I laughed, I thought that was brilliant,” he said. “I just thought, ‘Good on you, Donald.’ Donald’s always been a fan of mine, and he’s been to my concerts many, many times. So, I mean, I’ve always been friendly toward him, and I thank him for his support. When he did that, I just thought it was hilarious. It made me laugh.”

He went on to explain that he was not surprised that the reference needed to be explained to Kim Jong Un. “I’ve never toured North Korea, and I have no intention of doing so. But, I thought it was a light moment, and it was fun.”

When pressed on his opinions on Trump, John continued: “I don’t go on stage and say to people, ‘You must vote for the Republicans, you must vote for the Democrats.’ It’s none of my business how they vote.”

“I just want people to vote for things that are just, 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.”

“I just hope that people make the right decision to see what the future is going to be,” he added. “Is it going to be fire and brimstone … or are we going to have a much calmer, a much safer place? People can vote for who they like, but as far as I’m concerned, I love love. And 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.”

Last week, Elton revealed he has been dealing with a “severe eye infection” that has left him with “limited vision” in one of his eyes.

“I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye,” he wrote in a social media statement.

“I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family, who have taken such good care of me over the last several weeks. I have been quietly spending the summer recuperating at home, and am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery thus far.”

Last year, the pop legend officially retired from touring. His Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour began in 2018 and finally wrapped in Stockholm in July 2023, earning over $900million (£708million) in gross ticket sales. At the time of its conclusion, it was the highest grossing tour of all time, but has since been overtaken by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres Tour.

John performed at the 2023 edition of Glastonbury which marked his last ever UK show. In a five-star review of the legendary performance, NME shared: “‘I’m so happy to be here,’ he says, profoundly touched. ‘I’m never gonna forget this.’ None of us will. Sir Elton left everything on the field. It was a Glasto set for the ages from a true all-time great. We’ll never see his kind again. So long, Rocketman – and thank you.”

He also has a documentary coming out that will document his retirement tour, titled Never Too Late. It will be on Disney+ in December.

Trump, meanwhile, has been called out by a long string of musicians for using their music at his campaign rallies without permission, from the estate of Isaac Hayes to Jack White. Foo Fighters, ABBA, Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Johnny Marr, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Queen and The Animals

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