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Noah Kahan Blasts White House Over Unauthorized Song Use
Singer Noah Kahan Tells White House: "Don’t Use My Music!"
What Happened?
Imagine you drew a really cool picture and someone hung it up in their room without asking you first. You’d probably feel upset, right? Well, that’s kind of what happened to singer Noah Kahan — except instead of a picture, it was his song.
Important Point: The White House used Noah Kahan’s song "American Cars" in official social media posts without his permission.
The Story in Simple Steps
- Monday: The White House posted photos of President Trump visiting a General Motors test site in Michigan on Instagram and TikTok
- Background music: They used Noah Kahan’s song "American Cars" as the soundtrack
- Fans noticed: Many fans tagged Noah in the comments, letting him know
- Tuesday: Noah responded publicly: "Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration."
- Co-writer speaks up: Noah Levine, who helped write the song, left an even stronger comment
Why Are Musicians Upset?
Think of it like this: Songs are like personal letters from artists to the world. When politicians use them, it looks like the artist supports that politician — even if they totally disagree!
Other Artists Who Said "No Thanks!"
| Artist | Song Used | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Perry | "Firework" | Used in TikTok with military strike footage |
| Ariana Grande | "Bye" | Used in TikTok showing ICE arrests |
| Sabrina Carpenter | Various songs | Criticized unauthorized use |
| Olivia Rodrigo | Various songs | Spoke out against political use |
| Celine Dion | "My Heart Will Go On" | Objected to campaign rally use |
| Neil Young | "Rockin’ in the Free World" | Longtime critic of political misuse |
| The Rolling Stones | "You Can’t Always Get What You Want" | Sent cease-and-desist letters |
Important Point: This isn’t about politics — it’s about permission. Artists want control over where their art appears.
How Does This Work? (ELI5 Version)
Who Owns a Song?
- Songwriter(s) own the words and melody (Noah Kahan + Noah Levine)
- Record label usually owns the recording
- Publishing company helps manage permissions
What Should Happen?
- Ask first → White House contacts publisher/artist
- Get permission → Artist says "yes" or "no"
- Maybe pay → License fee for using the song
- Then post → Only after steps 1-3!
What Actually Happened?
Skipped steps 1-3 → Posted anyway → Artists got mad
Why Does This Keep Happening?
- Social media moves fast — staff might grab popular songs quickly
- Confusion about rules — some think "it’s just 15 seconds" or "it’s on TikTok’s library"
- Fair use confusion — political speech ≠ free pass to use copyrighted music
Important Point: Even the White House has to follow copyright law — being the government doesn’t give you a free music pass!
What Happens Next?
- Artists speak out → Public pressure (what we’re seeing now)
- Legal letters → Lawyers send "cease and desist" notices
- Posts get removed → Usually the music gets muted or video deleted
- Policy changes → Hopefully better vetting process for future posts
Summary
Noah Kahan joins a growing chorus of musicians telling the White House: "Ask before you play!"
Key takeaways:
- The White House used "American Cars" in Instagram/TikTok posts without permission
- Noah Kahan publicly disapproved: "Would never approve…"
- His co-writer Noah Levine was even more direct
- 7+ major artists have now spoken out against similar unauthorized use
- This is about artist rights and consent — not just politics
- Copyright law applies to everyone, including government accounts
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Can the White House legally use any song they want?
Nope! Copyright law applies to the government too. They need permission (a license) just like anyone else.
What’s the difference between "fair use" and stealing a song?
Fair use is for things like commentary, criticism, or education. Using a song as background music for political promotion? That’s not fair use — that’s just using someone’s art without asking.
Why do artists care so much? Isn’t it free publicity?
Imagine someone putting words in your mouth. When a politician uses your song, it looks like you endorse them. Artists want to choose their own messages.
What happens if the White House doesn’t take it down?
Artists can:
- Send formal legal notices (cease & desist)
- Sue for copyright infringement
- Seek damages (money) for unauthorized use
Has this happened with other presidents?
Yes! Both Democratic and Republican administrations have faced this. Artists like Bruce Springsteen, Adele, Rihanna, and The Rolling Stones have objected to multiple presidents using their music.
Bottom line: Making music is hard work. Using it without asking? That’s not cool — whether you’re a student, a business, or the White House!
