Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s film studio object to Trump’s use of “air” audio

A studio founded by actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck denounced former President Donald J. Trump’s use of audio from the movie “Air” in a campaign video posted online this weekend.

The video, shared on Truth Social early Saturday, featured a nearly two-and-a-half-minute monologue from the movie that played alongside photos and videos showing Mr. Trump throughout his life.

It was posted, along with a call for fundraising, days after Mr Trump was indicted on federal charges that he illegally possessed national security documents after leaving office and obstructed efforts to return them. He is expected to appear in court for the first time on Tuesday.

Artists Equity, Mr. Damon and Mr. Affleck’s production studio, objected to the campaign video on Twitter later Saturday.

“We had no prior knowledge of, consent to, and do not endorse or approve of any footage or audio of ‘Air’ being reused by the Trump campaign as a political ad or for any other use,” the organization wrote.

“Air” features Mr. Affleck and Mr. Damon, both of whom have histories of supporting Democrats. The film, a biographical drama, tells how Nike rose to household name by partnering with Michael Jordan, then a pro basketball rookie, to create the Air Jordan shoes.

The campaign video features audio of Mr Damon saying, “Money can buy almost anything. It can’t buy immortality – you have to earn it,” as one image shows Mr. Trump walking away from a helicopter.

The video remained on Truth Social as of Monday afternoon. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A range of celebrities and production studios have publicly rejected the use of their works during Mr Trump’s campaigns. In 2018, HBO criticized Trump’s impersonation of material from his “Game of Thrones” television show. And artists like Neil Young, Pharrell and Rihanna have objected to their music being used at campaign rallies.