U.S. President Donald Trump has increasingly clashed with prominent music artists, responding sharply to several high-profile entertainers who have publicly criticized him or his policies. His disputes with figures in the music industry include well-known names such as Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, and others.
The recent controversy began when Katy Perry spoke out against the White House’s use of her 2010 song "Firework" in a video montage highlighting U.S. military strikes in Iran. Perry expressed that using her song, which promotes messages of self-worth and unity, alongside images of bombings was fundamentally against the spirit of her music. Trump subsequently removed the song from the video but countered by sharing footage from one of Perry’s older music videos, edited to align her image with military themes.
Trump has a history of responding aggressively to musicians who oppose him. After Swift endorsed Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris for the 2024 election, Trump publicly declared his animosity toward her, claiming he “hates” Swift and even suggesting her popularity and appearance had declined following his comments, despite her continued commercial success. Similarly, Trump criticized Beyoncé, falsely alleging she was paid $10 million for a political endorsement and claiming she left an event to boos, which was contradicted by event financial records and video evidence.
Other artists targeted by Trump include Bruce Springsteen, whom the president insulted following the rocker’s condemnation of the Trump administration as “corrupt” and “treasonous” during a 2023 concert in Manchester. Springsteen was described by Trump as “highly overrated” with dismissive remarks about his talent and political views. Madonna, after voicing her opposition to Trump and his policies, was labeled “disgusting” by the president. Lady Gaga, John Legend, and Chrissy Teigen have also faced disparagement from Trump after expressing political opposition.
Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who headlined the Super Bowl halftime show in 2024, was another prominent figure criticized by Trump, who disparaged him for singing primarily in Spanish and called his performances “an affront to the greatness of America.” Despite this, the Trump administration previously used Bad Bunny’s song “La Mudanza” in a video depicting immigration enforcement actions, stirring further disapproval from the artist.
Several musicians have publicly objected to the use of their music by the Trump administration without permission, including Ariana Grande, who condemned the use of her song in immigration-related content, calling it “barbaric” and “inhumane.”
These tensions reflect the broader political and cultural polarization in the United States, with Trump frequently utilizing social media and public statements to respond to cultural figures who oppose him, often with sharp rebukes and personal insults. The ongoing disputes underscore the intersection of politics and popular culture in the current American political landscape.