# ‘Symptoms of TDS’: White House Snaps at Noah Kanan For Criticizing Unauthorized Use Of His Music

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/symptoms-of-tds-white-house-snaps-at-noah-kanan-for-criticizing-unauthorized-use-of-his-music/
- Published: 2026-07-30T05:45:12+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-30T06:03:26+00:00
- Original publisher: Billboard
- Original article: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/white-house-snaps-noah-kanan-criticizing-unauthorized-music-1236305995/
- Topics: Entertainment, Government, Music, Politics

## Key points

- White House used Kahan's song in Trump auto plant videos
- Kahan objected; White House accused him of "TDS"
- Music was licensed via a 2024 UMG-Meta deal for Instagram

## Summary

The White House has publicly criticised singer-songwriter Noah Kahan after he objected to his song "American Cars" being used in official social media posts celebrating President Trump's visit to a Michigan auto plant. Kahan said he would "never approve" of his music supporting Trump or his administration, prompting a senior White House communications official to accuse him of showing "symptoms of TDS" (Trump Derangement Syndrome). The spat highlights a recurring tension between the Trump administration and musicians over unauthorised or unwelcome use of their work in political content.

Kahan's track, from his chart-topping album The Great Divide, soundtracked White House TikTok and Instagram posts of Trump signing a Corvette at a General Motors plant in Milford, Michigan. His Instagram comment criticising the use drew over 53,500 likes, while his co-writer Noah Levine posted a since-deleted expletive-laden remark. The White House defended the usage, noting Kahan's music is available through a 2024 licensing agreement between Universal Music Group and Meta, and Kahan joins a growing list of artists—including Beyoncé, Adele, Bruce Springsteen and Rihanna—who have objected to similar uses of their music by the administration.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.