Ariana Grande Clashes with Trump Team Over Unauthorized Song Use

PUBLISHED Aug 22, 2026, 8:18 PM ET

Ariana Grande has objected to Team Trump using her music in a political TikTok, this time over “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love).” The account posted the video on Aug. 20, showing President Donald Trump walking toward a podium while text referenced the song and said men cannot have babies or compete in women’s sports. Grande commented, “Never use my music again. Also, your truth is false.” Her comment was later no longer visible, and the song was subsequently removed or muted from the post, according to multiple reports. Deadline reported that Grande’s label, Republic Records, was working to remove the track. This episode follows a June dispute in which the White House used Grande’s “Bye” in an immigration-enforcement video; the audio was later removed after her objection. The latest incident adds to a broader 2026 pattern of artists challenging Trump-affiliated accounts over political use of their music.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 31
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 8
Neutral:: 22

Explain Framing

Left: Coverage emphasizes artist consent, transgender implications, and Trump administration messaging. Center: Coverage emphasizes music use, Grande's objection, removal, and factual chronology. Right: Coverage emphasizes Grande's political opposition while defending Trump's stated position.