Owner of 'Peanuts' music sues Trump administration for using scores without permission [View all]

Source: The Independent

Thursday 21 May 2026 08:20 EDT


The owner of the music used in “Peanuts” television specials has filed lawsuits against several defendants, including the Trump administration, alleging that it illegally used the tunes in social media posts and a game.

Lee Mendelson Film Productions, which owns the copyright to “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and other shows, filed the suits in federal courts in New York and Washington, D.C. Wednesday.

One lawsuit argues the Interior Department did not have permission to use pianist Vince Guaraldi's arrangement of "O Tannenbaum" from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" in a digital holiday card posted to social media. The Independent has contacted the Interior Department for comment on the lawsuit.

Lee Mendelson Film Productions, which is based in California, was founded by and is named for the producer who collaborated with “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz and director Bill Melendez to create the TV specials based on Schulz’s iconic comic strip. This began starting with “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in 1965.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/peanuts-music-trump-administration-lawsuit-b2981141.html