Noah Kahan Slams White House for Using Song in Social Media Post: ‘Would Never Approve’

Noah Kahan is the latest musician to publicly denounce the White House for using his music without authorization on social media. The controversy ignited after an Instagram post featuring President Donald Trump included Kahan's track "American Cars." The Monday post showed Trump touring General Motors' primary testing facility in Michigan. When fans pointed out the unauthorized use in the comments, Kahan responded Tuesday afternoon with an unequivocal statement: "Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration." The song appeared in both Instagram and TikTok posts, though the audio was reportedly muted on Instagram while remaining audible on TikTok.

The backlash did not stop with Kahan. Noah Levine, co-writer of "American Cars" alongside the singer, left a far more scathing comment on Instagram, writing, "You fat fuck this song isn't for you." Neither Kahan's representatives nor the White House have responded to Variety's requests for comment. Kahan, whose introspective folk-pop style and albums like "Stick Season" have earned him a devoted following, has built a reputation for authenticity. This public rebuke aligns with his artistic stance, reflecting a broader tension between the current administration and musicians who feel their work is being co-opted for political messaging without permission. According to music industry analyst Sarah Collins, "This isn't just about one song—it's about artists asserting control over their creative property in an era where social media amplifies political messaging instantly." The incident underscores how even subtle uses of music can spark significant backlash when artists perceive their values are being misrepresented.

Kahan now joins a growing list of artists who have publicly condemned the White House for similar actions. Just this past weekend, Katy Perry expressed outrage after her 2010 hit "Firework" was used in a TikTok post showing 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," she wrote on X. "I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it." In June, Ariana Grande voiced similar objections after the White House used a version of her 2024 song "Bye" in a TikTok post depicting ICE agents arresting individuals. Other prominent artists—including Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Celine Dion, Neil Young, and the Rolling Stones—have also criticized Trump for using their music without consent. This pattern highlights a broader issue of intellectual property and political endorsement, where artists often feel their work is misrepresented. As entertainment lawyer Mark Reynolds noted in a recent interview, "Musicians have every right to control how their art is used, especially in political contexts that may contradict their values. The law is clear, but enforcement often requires public pressure." The recurring disputes suggest that without clearer guidelines or legal recourse, such conflicts are likely to continue as political campaigns and administrations increasingly rely on social media for messaging.