Donald Trump has thumbed his nose at rock legends Queen by continuing to play their iconic rock anthem, We Are the Champions, at the Republican National Convention.

“An unauthorised use at the Republican Convention against our wishes,” the British band said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Donald Trump has ignored Queen’s requests. Photo: Getty

Mr Trump ignored the band’s polite request, emerging on stage amid a dramatic cloud of dry ice on the first day of the convention in Cleveland.

Queen guitarist Brian May said in June that Mr Trump had not asked before previously playing the song, and the band would “never give permission” for him to use it.

May said it was band policy to not let their song be used for political purposes, irrespective of what views or ideology they espoused.

“Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy,” May wrote on his website at the time.

Adam Lambert, the US singer who has been performing with Queen on tour, went further by saying We Are the Champions was written by Queen’s Freddie Mercury, one of the most prominent musicians to die from complications of AIDS.

“If your political party spends decades treating gay people as second-class citizens, guess what: You don’t get to use Freddie Mercury’s music at your convention,” the openly gay Lambert tweeted.

It’s not the first time Mr Trump has run foul of musicians.

Adele, the Rolling Stones, REM. and Neil Young have all asked the billionaire right-wing populist to stop playing their music at campaign rallies.

– with agencies