White House Dismisses Kesha’s Complaint Over Military Song Use
The White House recently faced criticism from pop singer Kesha regarding the unauthorized use of her song “Blow” in a military-themed TikTok video. The video, shared on February 10, showcased a jet launching missiles against an enemy ship, accompanied by Kesha’s track.
Response to Kesha’s Complaint Over Military Song Use
Kesha expressed her frustration through social media, stating, “Trying to make light of war is disgusting and inhumane. I absolutely do NOT approve of my music being used to promote violence of any kind.” Her clarion call urged fans to choose compassion over hostility.
White House’s Reaction
In response, Steven Cheung, White House Communications Director, dismissed Kesha’s concerns. He claimed, “This just gives us more attention and more view counts to our videos because people want to see what they’re bitching about.” His post garnered over 26,000 views, but Kesha’s rebuttal attracted nearly 547,000 views on the X platform.
Broader Context and Other Artists
This was not an isolated incident. Kesha joins a group of artists, including Olivia Rodrigo, the Rolling Stones, Celine Dion, Radiohead, and Isaac Hayes, who have similarly condemned the Trump administration for utilizing their music at rallies and in promotional content.
- Isaac Hayes’s estate recently settled a lawsuit with Trump regarding the use of “Hold On, I’m Coming” at campaign events.
- Radiohead demanded the removal of a promotional video by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which featured their song “Let Down.”
Impact of Social Media Attention
The TikTok video featuring Kesha’s song has reached over 15 million views, overshadowing Cheung’s less popular commentary. Kesha’s original objection has also surpassed 1 million views, emphasizing the power of social media in rapidly amplifying public discourse.
As artists increasingly contest the misuse of their music, Kesha’s confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between creatives and political entities. The call for respect and ownership over artistic works remains at the forefront as these battles unfold.
