Ariana Grande has criticised US President Donald Trump’s political team after it used one of her songs in a TikTok video promoting his administration’s stance on transgender issues.
The official Team Trump TikTok account uploaded the video on Thursday, featuring Grande’s hit song “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” as its soundtrack. The video showed Trump walking towards a podium at a rally alongside text stating that men should not compete in women’s sports.
Grande, 33, responded in the comments, telling the Trump team: “Never use my music again. Also, your truth is false.” Her comment has since disappeared from the post.
The incident marks the second time Grande has publicly objected to the Trump administration using her music. In June, the White House used her song “Bye” in a TikTok video promoting its immigration crackdown, featuring footage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Grande subsequently condemned the use of her music, describing the content as “barbaric, inhumane” and “heinous”. The song was later muted on the video.
The latest controversy comes amid the Trump administration’s continued push for policies concerning transgender rights. The administration has backed restrictions on transgender participation in women’s sports and introduced policies defining sex in government documents based on biological sex at birth.
Grande is also among a number of high-profile musicians who have objected to Trump and his team using their songs. Other artists who have previously raised concerns include Sabrina Carpenter, Katy Perry, SZA, Adele, Rihanna, Céline Dion, Neil Young, Elton John and Pharrell Williams.
The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between political campaigns and musicians over the use of copyrighted music, particularly when artists believe their work is being associated with political messages they do not support.
