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 Grammy-winning artist.
The post uploaded by Trump’s team on Thursday included video clips of the president approaching a podium to speak, with text from Grande’s 2024 hit track overlaid on the footage. The text quoted a line saying, “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!” and included hashtags, including Grande’s name.
In response to the post, Grande commented, “Never use my music again. Also your truth is false,” from her verified account. The sound on the post has been muted, and Grande’s comment appears to have been removed, although screenshots have been shared by the audience.
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.
Grande’s recent objection follows her criticism in mid-June when the administration used her song Bye in a TikTok video concerning immigration policy. She had then posted a comment denouncing the use of her music in such contexts.
Protests from Taylor Swift to ABBA
Currently wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine Tour in London, Grande joins a long list of artists who have spoken out against the Trump team for utilizing their music. Over the years, Trump’s team has faced objections from various artists for playing their music at rallies or in social media posts. Artists like Neil Young, John Fogerty, Queen, the Rolling Stones, ABBA, Beyoncé, and estates of Leonard Cohen, Prince, and Tom Petty have all voiced their disapproval of Trump’s use of their music.
The Trump team often resorts to contemporary pop artists, including Sabrina Carpenter and Katy Perry, for their social media content. They have also played music from artists whom Trump has criticized or who have condemned him, such as Drake, Bad Bunny, and Taylor Swift.
Some artists have taken legal actions, such as issuing cease and desist orders or filing lawsuits. More recently, artists like Swift and Bad Bunny have swiftly removed