Indie folk singer Noah Kahan publicly rebuked President Trump on Tuesday over the unauthorized use of his song “American Cars” in a White House Instagram post, marking the latest clash between artists and the administration over political exploitation of music.
In a comment on the post, which showed Trump speaking at a General Motors factory in Michigan, Kahan wrote: “Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration.” The White House had captioned the video with “Made in America is BACK,” adding that “globalists sold out Michigan autoworkers” and that Trump is “a President who fights for workers.”
The incident comes amid a broader pattern of musicians objecting to their work being co-opted for political messaging. Just days earlier, pop star Katy Perry blasted the White House for using her hit “Firework” as background music for a TikTok video depicting military strikes on Iranian targets. Perry said she was “deeply appalled and angry” and had not approved the use.
Kahan’s criticism echoes those of other artists who have objected to Trump’s use of their songs at rallies or in official content. The administration has often dismissed such complaints as politically motivated, a stance White House spokesperson Kaelan Dorr reinforced by responding to Kahan with a quip about “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and referencing one of Kahan’s own lyrics.
The dispute underscores a growing tension between the White House and the creative community, particularly as the administration ramps up its media presence ahead of a potential reelection campaign. Trump has frequently used popular music to energize his base, despite pushback from artists spanning genres from rock to pop.
While the White House has not commented on whether it will remove the post featuring Kahan’s song, the incident has fueled broader debate about intellectual property and political endorsements. The move also comes as a new CNN poll shows 73% of Americans believe Trump is ignoring the country's top problems, a finding that may amplify scrutiny of the administration’s messaging tactics.
Kahan’s rebuke is unlikely to be the last. As the 2024 election cycle intensifies, artists are increasingly vocal about separating their work from political figures they oppose, a dynamic that has played out repeatedly in recent years.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether it would alter its use of Kahan’s music. The post featuring “American Cars” remained active as of Tuesday evening.
