Some of Taylor Swift’s music has been taken down from social media videos shared by the campaign of U.S. President Donald Trump and the White House, both of which had utilized two songs by the popular American singer in the recent past. The White House and a representative for Swift did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Although Swift has not publicly addressed Trump recently, she did endorse his Democratic opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris, in 2024. During the 2020 campaign, Swift made it clear on social media that she did not support Trump as president.
Trump has openly criticized Swift multiple times. Following her endorsement of Harris, the Republican president expressed his dislike for Swift on social media, stating, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” He also made remarks about her physical appearance. Several artists, such as Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande, have urged the Trump administration not to use their music.
The Trump campaign featured two of Swift’s songs on their TikTok page in the past week. One video referenced popular songs by Swift with a caption like “Red (Donald Trump’s Version).” Another video in June showcased Swift’s song “I Knew It, I Knew You” from the fictitious Toy Story 5 soundtrack, depicting Trump engaging with children at the White House, dancing at a UFC event, and appearing at a rally.
This marked the third instance where the Trump administration or campaign used Swift’s songs in recent months. In April, the White House shared a video incorporating Swift’s “High Infidelity” alongside lyrics from the song. In November, another TikTok video displayed images of the U.S. flag, monuments, and various photos of Trump, including a fictional 2023 arrest mugshot, set to Swift’s track “The Fate of Ophelia” from her album “The Life of a Showgirl.”
The White House’s posts have triggered significant reactions on social media. A spokesperson for the White House justified the videos, explaining that they expected the media to amplify the content. Trump’s communication team, active on social media, has shared various popular songs alongside visuals of Trump-related events and policies.
Overall, the removal of Taylor Swift’s songs from Trump-related social media posts has sparked attention and discussions online, reflecting the ongoing intersection of politics and music in the public sphere.