Artist Consent
Singer Noah Kahan Condemns Trump's Unauthorized Use of His Song 'American Cars'
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Key Points
1
The Great Divide earned Noah Kahan his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking a milestone in his career with the album posting the year's third-biggest week upon its release.
2
An expanded edition, The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs, adds four new tracks (Lighthouse, Staying Still, A Few of Our Own, Orbiter) bringing the total to 21 tracks.
3
The titular track’s music video was released during a commercial break at the 2026 Grammy Awards, part of the album’s high-profile rollout.
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Kahan has publicly noted that the song 'American Cars' was written for his sister Sasha and reflects her as the family’s problem solver, adding personal context to the track.
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The dispute over unauthorized use of music extends beyond Kahan: Katy Perry condemned the White House’s use of 'Firework' in a military video, and Ariana Grande urged against using her music in related government content.
Noah Kahan publicly slammed the Trump administration for using his song "American Cars" in a social media post — without his permission. "Would never approve," Kahan wrote on Instagram, according to People. The White House had posted a video tied to a General Motors event in Michigan, set to the track.
The song was later removed from Trump's Instagram, but it reportedly remained on the White House's TikTok, according to Yahoo News. Kahan's co-writer, Noah Levine, also demanded the administration stop using the music, Fox News reported.
White House Posts GM Video Set to Kahan Track
The dispute started when the White House shared a clip on Instagram and TikTok from a Michigan event tied to General Motors. The video featured Kahan's song "American Cars" playing in the background. No one asked Kahan for permission, according to Consequence.
Kahan reacted quickly on Instagram. He made clear he had no part in approving the use. His co-writer Levine backed him up, also calling on the White House to pull the track. The post on Instagram was eventually taken down, but the TikTok version stayed up, Yahoo News reported.
"American Cars" Has a Personal Story Behind It
The song is not just a catchy title. Kahan has said he wrote "American Cars" for his sister Sasha. He describes her as the problem solver in his family. That personal connection makes the unauthorized use sting even more.
The track is part of Kahan's album The Great Divide, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It posted the third-biggest opening week of 2025 by sales, according to Mixx 99.3. An expanded edition, The Great Divide: The Last of the Bugs, adds four new tracks, bringing the total to 21 songs.
Katy Perry and Ariana Grande Faced the Same Fight
Kahan is not alone. Katy Perry condemned the White House for using "Firework" in a military video without her approval. Ariana Grande also urged the administration not to use her music in government content, according to People.
The pattern points to a growing clash between political campaigns and artists' rights. Musicians say their work sends a message — and they want control over what that message supports. Using a song without a license can also violate copyright law, though enforcement varies case by case.
Grammy Moment and Chart Success Add Stakes to the Row
The timing of the dispute puts a spotlight on a big moment in Kahan's career. The music video for the title track "The Great Divide" premiered during a commercial break at the 2026 Grammy Awards. It was a high-profile rollout for a rising star.
With a No. 1 album and Grammy visibility, Kahan has more public standing than ever. That makes his pushback harder for the White House to ignore. Fox News noted that both Kahan and Levine issued direct demands to stop the use — not just a quiet complaint posted online.
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