The administration used Kahan’s “American Cars” to soundtrack photos of the president visiting General Motors’ flagship test site
Noah Kahan has made it clear that he would never approve the use of his music to support the Trump administration.
On Monday, the White House posted a series of Instagram photos depicting President Donald Trump‘s visit to General Motors’ flagship test site in Michigan. During his stop, the president took the opportunity to boast about his controversial tariffs across the auto industry and pumped his fist while watching a drag race. The photo carousel was bizarrely soundtracked to Kahan’s “American Cars,” a song the artist wrote for his sister, Sasha, about how she’s the family’s problem solver.
After a flurry of fans alerted Kahan by tagging him in the comments, the singer replied on Tuesday and wrote: “Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration.”
Representatives for Kahan and the White House did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone‘s request for comment.
The Trump administration has drawn the ire of a growing list musicians for using their music, often without authorization. In July, Katy Perry criticized the administration after the White House’s TikTok account used her hit “Firework” on a video of military strikes.
“I am deeply appalled and angry to see ‘Firework’ used on the White House TikTok account as a backing track for video footage of military strikes,” the singer said on X. “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it.”
The month prior, Ariana Grande demanded that the administration stop using her music in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement TikTok video depicting federal agents arresting and handcuffing people. In the comment section of the post, she wrote: “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.”
