Kesha Blasts White House Song Use
Kesha is publicly criticizing the White House and Donald Trump for unauthorized use of her hit 'Blow' in a social media post she perceived as pro-war. She called the move "disgusting," sparking debate about music rights and political messaging.
The White House TikTok post in question, set to Kesha's 2010 dance-pop track "Blow," featured a 31-second montage of US warplanes appearing to destroy naval targets. Shared on February 10, the video was captioned "Lethality" and quickly amassed over 16 million views. In response, Kesha stated, "Trying to make light of war is disgusting and inhumane." This is not the first time the Trump administration has faced backlash for its use of popular music. Artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo have previously criticized the administration for using their songs in social media posts promoting what they deemed "inhumane" and "hateful" agendas. In December, the White House deleted a video featuring ICE agents set to a Sabrina Carpenter song after she publicly objected. The conflict highlights a recurring issue where politicians use music that venues have licensed for public performance through organizations like ASCAP and BMI. However, these blanket licenses are not intended for political endorsements, and artists can request to have their songs excluded from a campaign's license. Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose previously noted the Trump campaign often utilizes these "loopholes" without the songwriter's direct consent. Numerous musicians have sent cease-and-desist letters to Donald Trump for using their music, including Rihanna for "Don't Stop the Music" and Pharrell Williams for "Happy," which was played just hours after a mass shooting. Neil Young even sued the Trump campaign for copyright infringement over the repeated use of "Rockin' in the Free World," a case that was later voluntarily dismissed. The unauthorized use of music can lead to legal action beyond simple cease-and-desist letters. Artists may pursue claims of copyright infringement, false advertising, or violation of the right of publicity, arguing that the use creates a false impression of affiliation or endorsement. Eddy Grant successfully sued the Trump campaign for copyright infringement over the use of his song "Electric Avenue" in a political ad. In a direct address to the White House on social media, Kesha wrote, "Stop using my music, perverts." She also urged the public not to be distracted by the song controversy from other issues surrounding Donald Trump.
