Musicians Push Back Against Unauthorized Apply of Their Music by Donald Trump
The intersection of politics and popular music continues to generate friction, with a growing number of artists publicly objecting to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s use of their songs in political events and promotional materials. This practice, spanning his initial 2016 campaign through his recent activities, has sparked protests and, in some cases, legal threats from musicians who claim their work is being misappropriated to support views they oppose. The issue highlights a complex debate surrounding artistic expression, political messaging, and the rights of creators to control how their work is used.
The controversy isn’t new. Throughout his political career, Donald Trump has faced consistent opposition from musicians objecting to the unauthorized use of their music. This pattern resurfaced in late 2025 and early 2026, with several high-profile artists voicing their discontent. The core of the issue revolves around the use of copyrighted material without permission, often in contexts that artists find politically objectionable. This has led to a series of public rebukes and, in some instances, direct confrontations with the Trump campaign and its associates.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Protest and the White House Response
Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter recently found herself at the center of this debate after her song “Juno” was used in a video shared by the White House. The video, as reported by Tempo.co, depicted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arresting individuals suspected of immigration violations. Carpenter swiftly condemned the use of her music, calling the video “evil and disgusting” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.
— Sabrina Carpenter (@sabrinacarpenter) December 2, 2025
The White House, however, responded with a pointed retort, utilizing Carpenter’s own album title, “Short n’ Sweet,” and lyrics from her song “Manchild” in a statement to The New York Post. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated, “Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: we won’t apologize for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country.” Jackson continued, “Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?” This exchange underscores the increasingly combative nature of the interactions between the Trump administration and artists who oppose its policies.
Linkin Park, Celine Dion, and Radiohead: A History of Disagreement
Carpenter’s protest is far from isolated. Linkin Park, the renowned rock band, expressed outrage when Donald Trump used their song “Somewhere I Belong” in a New Year’s Eve video celebrating his accomplishments. Similarly, Celine Dion protested the use of her iconic ballad “My Heart Will Go On” in Trump’s 2024 campaign without her consent. These instances demonstrate a pattern of the Trump campaign utilizing popular music without securing the necessary permissions from the artists.
Radiohead has likewise been a vocal opponent of unauthorized use of their music. The band objected to the use of their song “Let Down” in a video produced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration and customs laws. ICE, operating under the Department of Homeland Security, has been a frequent target of criticism, particularly regarding its immigration enforcement policies. Radiohead’s stance reinforces the broader concern among musicians about the political implications of their work being used without their approval.
Guns N’ Roses and Internal Divisions
The dispute extends to the realm of rock legends, with Guns N’ Roses also objecting to the use of their music. The band reportedly refused permission for their songs to be featured in a film about Melania Trump, the former First Lady. This situation reportedly revealed internal divisions within Guns N’ Roses regarding political alignment, highlighting the complexities artists face when navigating politically charged requests.
The Legal Landscape and Artist Rights
The unauthorized use of copyrighted music in political campaigns raises significant legal questions. Copyright law grants artists exclusive rights over their work, including the right to control how it is used and distributed. Using a song in a political context without permission can constitute copyright infringement, potentially leading to legal action. While some artists have threatened lawsuits, pursuing legal remedies can be costly and time-consuming.
Billboard has compiled an extensive list of musicians who have criticized Donald Trump for using their music without permission, including Jack White/White Stripes, Isaac Hayes, George Harrison, Foo Fighters, Earth Wind & Fire, Brendon Urie, Beyonce, and Adele. This growing list underscores the widespread dissatisfaction among artists regarding the Trump campaign’s practices. The issue also extends to support for opposing candidates; Kamala Harris has garnered support from various figures in the music industry during the 2024 election cycle.
The situation highlights the increasing importance of artists asserting their rights and controlling their creative output. As political campaigns continue to leverage popular culture to reach voters, the potential for conflict between artists and politicians is likely to remain high. The ongoing disputes serve as a reminder of the need for clear guidelines and respectful engagement between the worlds of music and politics.
The use of music in political campaigns is a complex issue with legal and ethical dimensions. Artists have the right to control how their work is used, and campaigns should respect those rights. The ongoing disputes between Donald Trump and various musicians demonstrate the importance of this principle and the potential consequences of disregarding it.
As of March 3, 2026, there are no indications that the Trump campaign has altered its approach to using music in its promotional materials. Further developments in this ongoing dispute are expected as the political landscape evolves. Readers interested in following this issue can monitor updates from Billboard and other music industry publications.
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