Controversy Over Trump’s Use of Taylor Swift’s and Other Artists’ Songs on Team Trump TikTok Page

Taylor Swift’s music has been removed from several videos on President Donald Trump’s Team Trump TikTok page. One notable example from August 3 featured the president and First Lady Melania Trump watching fireworks, accompanied by text reading “mood because it’s August and Donald Trump is your president.” The caption stated, “I’m sure @Taylor Swift is going to be super excited we used her song!” The video initially included Swift’s 2020 hit “August” from her “Folklore” album. Currently, the video’s sound is missing.

Comments on the situation cheered the removal of Swift’s music. Messages like “TAYLOR REMOVING THE AUDIO QUEEEEEEN” and “Sorry, what was that? cant hear the song” were shared. Several other videos featuring Swift’s songs have also lost their audio. This includes an edited video from November that honored Trump while playing her song “Father Figure” from the “Life of a Showgirl” soundtrack.

Another video impacted is one from August 6, which suggests that Swift wrote her “Red” album about Republicans. The video, now silent, featured art resembling the “Red” album cover with Trump in a MAGA hat, displaying text “Red (Donald Trump’s version).” This video asked, “Did you know Taylor Swift wrote a whole album about the color of the Republican Party?”

Previously, Swift endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential elections. In response, Trump expressed his dislike for Swift on TruthSocial and disparaged her in May 2025. However, after Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce in August 2025, Trump made positive remarks about the couple.

Trump’s administration has used songs by other musicians without their endorsement, causing public backlash. For example, a July 23 video of military actions in Iran on the White House’s TikTok page used Katy Perry’s “Firework.” Perry expressed anger, saying the song was meant for hope and should not accompany violent imagery.

Ariana Grande also condemned the White House’s use of her song “Bye” in a June video depicting federal arrests. Artists like Kesha, Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan, and Sabrina Carpenter also criticized the administration’s unauthorized use of their music.