Ariana Grande has once again criticized the Trump administration for using her music in a social media post. This time, the Team Trump account included her song We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love) in a TikTok post that tagged the Grammy-winning artist.
The post shared by Trump’s team on Thursday featured clips of the president approaching a podium to speak, with text from Grande’s 2024 song overlaid on the video. The text referenced lines from Grande’s song, stating: “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 added, “This shouldn’t be controversial!” along with various hashtags, including Grande’s name.
In response, Grande commented, “Never use my music again. Also your truth is false,” from her verified account. The sound has been removed from the post, and Grande’s comment appears to have been deleted, although screenshots of it have been reposted by the audience.
ABBA, along with other artists, is demanding that the Trump campaign refrain from using their music. Despite Trump’s claim of having a license, legal experts suggest that artists have the right to challenge such usage.
Grande’s response follows her criticism in mid-June when the administration used her song Bye in a TikTok video related to immigration policy. She had then posted a comment asking not to associate her music with what she called “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.”
Artists Objecting to Trump’s Use of Music
Currently wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine Tour in London, Grande joins a long list of performers who have denounced the Trump team for utilizing their music. Throughout the years, Trump’s campaigns have faced objections from various artists for playing their music at rallies or including tracks in social media content.
Artists such as Neil Young, John Fogerty, Queen, The Rolling Stones, ABBA, Beyoncé, and estates like Leonard Cohen, Prince, and Tom Petty have all expressed disapproval of the Trump team using their music.
Trump’s team often features contemporary pop artists in their content, including songs from Sabrina Carpenter and Katy Perry. They also play music from artists who are openly critical of Trump, like Drake, Bad Bunny, and Taylor Swift.
Some artists have taken legal action by issuing cease and desist orders or filing