WASHINGTON — Folk-pop star Noah Kahan slammed the White House on Tuesday after officials used his song “American Cars” in a social media video featuring President Donald Trump.
Kahan stated he never gave permission for the administration to use his track.
The White House uploaded the video to Instagram and TikTok on Monday. It showed images of Trump visiting General Motors’ flagship test site in Michigan.
After fans tagged Kahan in the comment section, the singer posted his disapproval.
”Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration,” Kahan wrote.
Noah Levine co-wrote the song with Kahan. He left a much harsher comment on Instagram, writing, “You fat fuck this song isn’t for you.”
Officials disabled the audio track on the Instagram post following the backlash. However, the song remained active on the TikTok video.
Kahan is not the only artist calling out the White House over music usage.
Katy Perry criticized the administration last weekend after officials set her 2010 hit “Firework” to TikTok footage of 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. “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.”
In June, Ariana Grande spoke out when a modified version of her song “Bye” accompanied a TikTok video showing ICE agents making arrests.
Other high-profile acts have publicly criticized Trump for using their songs without consent, including Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Celine Dion, Neil Young, and the Rolling Stones.
