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Folk-pop star Noah Kahan and his co-writer demanded the White House stop using their music after President Donald Trump posted a social media video set to their song “American Cars” on Monday.
Kahan and his co-writer, Noah Levine, join a growing list of musicians calling on the White House to stop using their music. The White House and the official POTUS social media accounts posted a video montage of Trump touring a General Motors test facility in Michigan.
The use of the song “American Cars” led users online to tag the Grammy-nominated Kahan, best known for his album “Stick Season,” who responded directly in the comment section.
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A split image shows singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, left, and President Donald Trump, right. Kahan publicly objected after the White House used his song “American Cars” in a social media video featuring Trump touring a General Motors test facility in Michigan. (Gus Stewart/Redferns; Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
Kahan wrote Tuesday, according to Variety, “Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration.” Levine responded with profanity, writing, “You fat f—, this song isn’t for you.”
The White House has previously received pushback from other prominent artists, including pop stars Sabrina Carpenter and Katy Perry. In December 2025, Carpenter slammed the White House’s use of her song “Juno” in a video montage of ICE agents detaining illegal immigrants, calling the post “evil and disgusting.”
The administration had a similar run-in with singer Olivia Rodrigo, who objected to a post from the White House and the Department of Homeland Security encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport to her song “All-American B—-.”
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Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan for the premiere of “The Great Divide” music video on Jan. 14, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
The former Disney star took to Instagram to express her outrage, writing, “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.” The audio was later removed from the post.
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A DHS spokesperson responded to the singer’s criticism in a statement to Digital earlier this year, referencing Rodrigo’s lyrics. “America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe,” the spokesperson wrote. “We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”
Most recently, Katy Perry condemned the White House’s use of her song “Firework” over footage of military strikes, writing that she “did not approve this” and does not condone its use.
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Singer Olivia Rodrigo. (Josh Brasted/FilmMagic)
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Kahan has largely stayed out of national political battles, choosing instead to focus on advocacy for mental health resources. He founded the “Busyhead Project,” whose website describes it as a “non-profit mental health organization” which “aims to end the stigma around mental health and improve access to resources.” In recognition of his efforts, Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott declared Sept. 19 “Noah Kahan’s Busyhead Project Day.”
Digital reached out to the White House, Kahan, and Levine for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
