Ariana Grande has once again criticized the Trump administration for using her music in a social media post. This time, the Team Trump account featured her song “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” in a TikTok post that tagged the singer. The post included clips of Trump approaching a podium to speak with text from Grande’s 2024 track overlaying the video. The text quoted, “Me and my truth we sit in silence… men can’t have babies and should never compete in women’s sports.” The caption of the post stated, “This shouldn’t be controversial!” along with various hashtags, including Grande’s name.
Grande responded in the comments section, stating, “Never use my music again. Also your truth is false.” The sound was later removed from the post, and Grande’s comment was apparently deleted, although screenshots of it have been reposted by audience members.
ABBA has joined a growing list of artists demanding that the Trump campaign stop using their music. Although Trump asserts he has a licence to play their songs, some legal experts say artists have the right to challenge this use.
Earlier in June, Grande had criticized the administration for using her song “Bye” in a TikTok video related to immigration policy, where federal agents were shown arresting people. She had expressed her disapproval, stating, “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.”
Protests from Taylor Swift to ABBA
Grande, who is currently wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine Tour in London, is among many artists who have objected to the Trump team using their music. Over the years, Trump’s campaigns have faced backlash from numerous artists for playing their music at rallies or in social media videos. Artists such as Neil Young, John Fogerty, Queen, the Rolling Stones, ABBA, Beyoncé, and estates of Leonard Cohen, Prince, and Tom Petty have all voiced objections to Trump’s use of their music.
The Trump team often features songs from contemporary pop artists, including Sabrina Carpenter and Katy Perry. They have also played music from artists who have criticized Trump, such as Drake, Bad Bunny, and Taylor Swift. Some artists have issued cease and desist orders or taken legal action in response. Notably, artists like Swift and Bad Bunny have taken swift action to have their music removed or muted in Team Trump social videos due to copyright infringement claims.</