Pop star Ariana Grande has publicly condemned Donald Trump after his campaign used her music in a video promoting anti-trans views. The singer demanded the president stop using her work, joining a growing list of artists protesting unauthorized political use of their songs.
Ariana Grande calls out Donald Trump for using her song in controversial TikTok
The controversy began on Thursday when Trump’s TikTok account posted a clip featuring Grande’s 2024 single “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).” The video showed Trump walking on stage at a rally while on-screen captions twisted the song’s lyrics to push a political message. The text read: “Me and my truth we sit in silence…” before cutting to the statement: “Men can’t have babies and should never compete in sports.”
Grande responded directly in the comments section with a blunt rebuke. “Never use my music again,” she wrote. “Also, your truth is false.” And this is not the first time Ariana Grande has clashed with Donald Trump over unauthorized music use. In June, she criticized the White House for featuring her song “Bye” in a video supporting ICE operations.
Now, Thursday’s incident is another flashpoint in the ongoing struggle between musicians and Trump’s campaigns. The president has got repeated backlash from artists across genres who object to their work being associated with his political messaging. As per Deadline, Grande’s label is actively working to have the song removed from the campaign clip.
The singer joins an extensive roster of performers who have taken action against Donald Trump’s use of their music. Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Katy Perry, Kesha, Radiohead, Noah Kahan, Jess Glynne, and Kenny Loggins have all previously pushed back.
Moreover, the clash comes as Grande prepares to wrap up her Eternal Sunshine Tour. The tour supported her seventh studio album, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.