Noah Kahan publicly criticized Donald Trump’s administration after discovering one of his songs in an official social media post. The singer-songwriter said he never approved the use of American Cars and quickly voiced his objection online.
The dispute followed President Trump’s recent visit to a General Motors facility in Michigan. It also placed Kahan alongside several artists who have challenged the administration over unauthorized music use.
Noah Kahan said he never approved his song being used in support of Donald Trump or his administration
According to PEOPLE, Trump’s Instagram and TikTok accounts featured Kahan’s The Great Divide track American Cars in posts highlighting the president’s visit to a General Motors plant.
Kahan responded directly in the comments after fans pointed out the song’s appearance.
“Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration,” the Grammy-nominated artist wrote.
The outlet reported that songwriter Gabe Simon, who co-wrote American Cars, also criticized the song’s use.
Soon afterward, the music disappeared from Trump’s Instagram post. However, the track remained on the White House TikTok account as of Wednesday.
White House deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr responded on X.
“Symptoms of TDS apparently include having a northern attitude,” Dorr wrote, referring to the phrase “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
The disagreement added Kahan to a growing list of musicians who have objected to the administration using their music. Ariana Grande, Bruce Springsteen, Céline Dion, Kesha, Linkin Park, Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, Radiohead, Sabrina Carpenter, and others have also voiced similar complaints.
Earlier this month, Katy Perry strongly condemned the White House after officials used her hit Firework in a video featuring military strikes.
“I am deeply appalled and angry to see ‘Firework’ used on the @WhiteHouse TikTok account as a backing track for video footage of military strikes,” Perry wrote on X.
She continued, “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.”
The singer explained that she originally wrote the song as “an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength.” Perry argued that pairing it with footage of violence completely contradicted its message.
“My music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare,” she concluded.
Kahan’s criticism showed that the debate over artists’ control of their music continued to spark public disagreements between musicians and political figures.
TELL US – SHOULD POLITICAL FIGURES ASK ARTISTS BEFORE USING THEIR MUSIC?
