Noah Kahan condemned the White House for using his song "American Cars" in a social media post featuring President Donald Trump's visit to a General Motors facility in Michigan. The Vermont folk singer took to social media to clarify he never authorized the use and would never have approved it.
Kahan joins a long line of musicians who have objected to political figures appropriating their work. Artists from Bruce Springsteen to The Rolling Stones have filed cease-and-desist orders against campaigns and administrations using their songs without permission. These disputes highlight the tension between politicians' desire to create emotionally resonant content and musicians' control over how their work gets deployed.
"American Cars," from Kahan's 2022 album "Stick Season," carries specific cultural weight for the artist. The song explores themes of American identity and nostalgia, making it a natural fit for political messaging around manufacturing and national pride. That very appeal likely drew the White House to the track.
However, the use occurred without coordination. Kahan's objection reflects both a legal principle and an artistic one. Musicians retain intellectual property rights to their compositions and recordings, and unauthorized use constitutes copyright infringement. Beyond legality, artists object to having their work annexed for purposes they don't support, effectively endorsing political figures or agendas through association.
Kahan's public pushback carries additional weight given his mainstream success. "Stick Season" became a breakout hit, particularly on TikTok, and Kahan has cultivated a devoted fanbase. His statement signals to followers that he maintains autonomy over his art and won't be silent when institutions overreach.
The incident underscores how social media's rapid-fire posting culture can outpace permission-seeking protocols. White House communications teams operate at speed, sometimes bypassing clearance procedures that traditional media required. Musicians have increasingly needed to monitor unauthorized use and respond swiftly to protect both their rights and their reputations.