# Trump White House music usage controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/trump-white-house-music-usage-controversy
> Updated: 2026-07-31T04:11:40.000Z. Sources: 18. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, the White House posted an Instagram carousel and a TikTok video featuring President Donald Trump touring a General Motors test facility, set to folk‑pop singer Noah Kahan’s track “American Cars.” Kahan replied publicly that he would never approve his music being used to support Trump or his administration, and his co‑writer Noah Levine added a profane rebuttal. After the backlash, the White House removed the song from the Instagram post, though it initially remained on TikTok. White House officials defended the choice, citing the platform’s public music library.

Two days later, Kahan reiterated his refusal, and the song was subsequently removed from both Instagram and TikTok. The incident was later highlighted when former President Barack Obama added Kahan’s song “Doors” to his 2026 summer playlist, prompting Kahan to thank Obama. The sequence underscores ongoing tensions between artists and political figures over the unauthorized use of music in official communications.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: Noah Kahan Rejects Trump Use of Song, Gains Obama Playlist Support

Noah Kahan denounced the Trump administration’s use of his song “American Cars” in a Michigan GM post; after the track was removed, Barack Obama added Kahan’s “Doors” to his 2026 summer playlist, prompting Kahn

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/noah-kahan-rejects-trump-use-of-song-gains-obama-playlist-support

### 2026-07-29: Noah Kahan Denounces White House Use of ‘American Cars’ in Trump GM Plant Post

The White House used Noah Kahan’s “American Cars” in a Trump GM‑plant social‑media post; Kahan and co‑writer Noah Levine said they never approved, the song was removed from Instagram but stays on TikTok, and an

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/noah-kahan-condemns-white-house-use-of-his-song-american-cars

---
Cite as: Trump White House music usage controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/trump-white-house-music-usage-controversy