Noah Kahan Denounces White House Use of “American Cars” Song After Trump’s GM Visit

Noah Kahan, indie‑folk singer‑songwriter, reacted sharply after the White House attached his track “American Cars” to a social‑media post about President Trump’s recent General Motors visit. The post appeared on the official White House Instagram account and was later shared on TikTok. Kahan responded on his own Instagram, stating he would never approve his music being used to support the administration. The incident joins a growing list of artists publicly objecting to the Trump administration’s use of their songs without permission. The dispute raises questions about digital platform controls and artist consent.

What happened

The White House posted a video of President Trump touring a General Motors facility and used Kahan’s “American Cars” as the backing track. After the post went live, Kahan replied on Instagram, writing, "Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration." The platform’s new feature that lets users change a song after posting was used to remove the track from the Instagram version, though the TikTok version still plays it.

Kahan’s co‑writer, Noah Levine, also responded, calling the usage inappropriate. The controversy mirrors earlier objections from artists such as Katy Perry, who denounced the administration’s use of her song “Firework” on a White House TikTok video. The repeated pushback highlights a pattern of political accounts employing popular music without securing artist consent.

Why it matters

The episode underscores the tension between political messaging and intellectual property rights in the age of social media. When high‑profile accounts use songs without permission, it can create the impression of endorsement, potentially harming an artist’s brand and alienating fans. Platforms that allow post‑hoc song changes may mitigate fallout, but the initial exposure often spreads rapidly, making damage control difficult. The backlash also pressures political entities to adopt stricter vetting processes, lest they face public criticism and possible legal challenges.

How to think about it

Artists should regularly audit the use of their catalog on major social accounts and set clear licensing terms for political use. Platforms can implement automated alerts when a copyrighted track appears in political content, giving rights holders a chance to respond quickly. When a dispute arises, a prompt public statement clarifying the artist’s stance helps manage fan expectations and limits misinformation.

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