The president has a long history of angering artists, and this year was no exception.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump looks on during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on December 22, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Rebecca Noble/Getty Images
Donald Trump‘s first year back in office is drawing to a close, but not without several musicians voicing disapproval for his use of their music along the way.
Though the twice-impeached POTUS has a long history of angering artists by featuring their songs in campaign materials without permission, 2025 was particularly marked by his administration getting rises out of musicians and fans alike. After getting several complaints for the unauthorized use of music during his 2024 White House run, Trump has kept that trend going since taking office in January by incorporating popular tracks in social media posts about his policies — from his highly controversial crackdown on immigration to his strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean. Other posts simply serve to exalt Trump and his leadership, such as a TikTok the White House posted in November 2025 set to Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia.” (No, Swifties were not happy with that one.”
But while many artists seem to have accepted that Trump will do as he pleases with their music no matter what, others have spoken up to make it clear that they aren’t on board with his handling of their work in 2025. That includes Gen-Z pop queens who have spent their blossoming careers backing liberal politicians and ideas, as well as legacy rock acts who’ve been working in the industry decades longer than the billionaire former reality star has even been a politician.
Below, check out the artists who have called out the Trump administration for using their music in 2025.
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Blue Öyster Cult
After Trump posted an AI video of himself and Vice President JD Vance rocking out to Blue Öyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper” while mocking Democrats, the band members promptly released a response distancing themselves from the usage.
“Let’s clarify a few things: BLUE ÖYSTER CULT was not contacted or notified in advance,” the group wrote in a statement. “BLUE ÖYSTER CULT has no legal right to either authorize or withhold usage, which is 100% controlled by SONY MUSIC.”
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Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins was not pleased after Trump shared a crude AI video set to “Danger Zone,” which depicted the president flying a plane over protestors and dumping feces no them.
“I request that my recording on this video is removed immediately,” Loggins said in a statement. “I can’t imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us. Too many people are trying to tear us apart, and we need to find new ways to come together.”
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Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo fired back at the White House after it paired a video of ICE agents forcibly tackling, detaining and deporting people with her song “All-American Bitch.”
“don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda,” she commented on the video.
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Sabrina Carpenter
“this video is evil and disgusting,” Sabrina Carpenter wrote on X after the White House used her song “Juno” in a video glorifying ICE. “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Newsweek, “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. Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?”
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SZA
SZA spoke out about the lose-lose situation the White House is putting artists in through unauthorized song use after her track “Big Boy” was used in a post condemning “criminal illegal aliens.” If musicians don’t respond to such usage, they risk people associating them with the Trump administration’s policies — but if they do respond, they end up garnering more attention for the very posts they’re condemning.
“White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK,” she wrote on X, calling the tactic “evil” and “boring.”
In response, Abigail Jackson told Variety, “Thank you, SZA, for drawing even more attention to the tremendous work America’s ICE officers are doing by arresting dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities.”
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Village People
Though the Village People has gone back and forth on Trump’s affinity for “Y.M.C.A.,” the president appeared to cross a line with the band by sharing an AI video that falsely showed Barack Obama getting arrested.
“We will attempt to find the original person or entity who posted the offensive video featuring President Barack Obama, and have such video taken down as not being endorsed by Village People, nor any of the owners of the copyright,” the group said in a statement.