White House Turns Hit Song Against Noah Kahan in Political Clash
Explorehotelworld.com – Folk-pop star Noah Kahan has become the latest artist caught in a political crossfire after the White House turns hit song against the Vermont musician in a public dispute. The controversy erupted when the Trump administration’s social media team featured Kahan’s track “American Cars” in a promotional post celebrating domestic manufacturing. The Grammy-nominated singer quickly made his feelings known, sparking a back-and-forth exchange that has captured media attention across multiple platforms.
The Song That Started It All
The situation unfolded when the official POTUS Instagram account shared footage of President Donald Trump touring a General Motors testing facility in Michigan. The post celebrated American manufacturing with the caption “Made in America is BACK,” while Kahan’s song played prominently in the background. Fans and followers immediately recognized the musical connection, flooding the comments section with questions about whether the artist had given his approval.
Kahan wasted no time in clarifying his stance. On Tuesday, the musician posted a clear message on Instagram:
“Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration.”
The response from co-writer Levine was particularly memorable. According to Variety, Levine fired back with a colorful retort to Kahan’s statement:
“You fat f—, this song isn’t for you.”
White House Turns Hit Song: The Administration’s Response
Instead of backing down, the White House turned hit song into a platform for mockery. Kaelan Dorr, who works in the White House Office of Digital Strategy, took to X to address the situation. Dorr’s post referenced what conservatives term “TDS” or Trump Derangement Syndrome, writing:
“Symptoms of TDS apparently include having a northern attitude.”
This clever jab referenced Kahan’s own hit “Northern Attitude,” which has now surpassed 700 million streams across various music platforms. The exchange didn’t end there. Instagram subsequently updated the original post to show that the audio was now “unavailable,” effectively silencing the song that had become central to the controversy.
Part of a Larger Movement
Kahan’s situation reflects a growing trend among musicians who are increasingly vocal about how their work is being used politically. Several high-profile artists have publicly rejected the administration’s practice of incorporating their songs into social media posts and political messaging. Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Celine Dion, and Beyoncé have all joined the conversation, expressing their concerns about unauthorized use of their music.
Olivia Rodrigo faced a similar situation in November 2025. The Disney star and singer confronted both the White House and the Department of Homeland Security after they used her song in a post encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport. She shared her frustration on Instagram:
“Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
Katy Perry also weighed in recently, condemning the White House’s use of her hit “Firework” over footage of military strikes. Perry emphasized that she “did not approve this” and does not support its political application.
Kahan’s Political Neutrality and Advocacy Work
While many celebrities have become more politically engaged in recent years, Kahan has largely stayed out of national political debates. The singer has instead focused his energy on mental health advocacy through his organization, the Busyhead Project. According to the organization’s official website, this non-profit “aims to end the stigma around mental health and improve access to resources.”
Kahan’s dedication to this important cause has received official recognition. Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott declared September 19 as “Noah Kahan’s Busyhead Project Day,” honoring the singer’s contributions to mental health advocacy in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Noah Kahan song did the White House use? The White House featured “American Cars” in a promotional post celebrating American manufacturing achievements at a General Motors facility in Michigan.
Did Noah Kahan approve of the song being used? No, Kahan publicly stated on Instagram that he “would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration.”
What was Levine’s response to Kahan’s statement? Levine, who co-wrote “American Cars,” responded with a colorful message: “You fat f—, this song isn’t for you.”
How many streams does “Northern Attitude” have? Kahan’s hit song “Northern Attitude” has accumulated more than 700 million streams across various music platforms.
What is the Busyhead Project? The Busyhead Project is a non-profit organization founded by Kahan that aims to end the stigma around mental health and improve access to resources.
