Ariana Grande Blasts Trump Administration for Using ‘We Can’t Be Friends’ in Social Post: ‘Your Truth Is False’

Grande responded swiftly and sharply, leaving a comment on the post that read, "Never use my music again. Also, your truth is false." This marks the second time in two months that the singer—whose hits include "7 Rings" and who recently earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Glinda in the *Wicked* film adaptation—has had to confront the administration over her catalog. In June, the White House posted a TikTok featuring a version of her 2024 single "Bye" alongside footage of ICE agents making arrests. Grande hit back with a pointed rebuke, writing, "Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense. Fck ice." Her team managed to have that audio removed, though the current post still retains her song.

Grande is far from the only artist pushing back against such co-optation. A growing number of musicians have either publicly objected to or legally contested the political use of their work in recent months. Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny both saw their tracks pulled from White House posts, while Noah Kahan took a firmer stance in late July when his song "American Cars" appeared on an official Instagram account. "Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration," Kahan wrote at the time. The White House has yet to respond to Variety’s request for comment on the latest controversy, leaving the matter unresolved.

This recurring friction highlights a significant shift in the music industry: artists increasingly treat their creative output as a form of political expression, and they are unwilling to see it appropriated by figures they oppose. For Grande, whose lyrics often explore themes of personal authenticity and emotional vulnerability, the irony of her words being twisted to support a message she considers false is especially striking. As she navigates her dual career as a chart-topping musician and a stage sensation—her Glinda performance has drawn widespread praise—she remains committed to using her platform to set clear boundaries. Whether the administration will heed her request is still uncertain, but the message is unmistakable: her music is not a vehicle for others to commandeer.