Taylor Swift reacted to Trump's video using her song

Taylor Swift’s songs were removed from social media posts by both the White House and Donald Trump’s campaign, according to reports from Croatian media outlets. The incident involves two tracks from the pop star, which were used in promotional content without her consent. The removal came after public backlash and legal concerns over unauthorized use of copyrighted material. Neither the White House nor Taylor Swift’s representatives have yet issued formal statements regarding the matter. The controversy began during the week of October 9, 2026, when the White House and Trump’s campaign posted videos on social platforms that included snippets of Swift’s music. The tracks, reportedly from her earlier albums, were played without permission, sparking immediate criticism from fans and industry professionals. In response, Swift took action by removing the audio from one of the videos shared by the Trump campaign on TikTok. The clip, titled “August,” was initially posted with a sarcastic caption suggesting she would be “thrilled” to see her music used, alongside hashtags such as #taylorswift and #maga. However, shortly afterward, the sound was stripped from the video, leaving it silent. This is not the first time that Trump’s team or the White House has used Swift’s music without authorization. Previously, in November 2025, the White House incorporated elements from Swift’s song “The Fate of Ophelia” into a video featuring President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, military personnel, and national flags. Similarly, during the 250th anniversary celebration of the United States, the administration referenced themes from her “Eras” tour in its promotional materials. These instances highlight a pattern of using popular artists' work without direct approval, raising questions about intellectual property rights and ethical practices in political campaigns. Swift has long maintained a cautious stance toward political figures, particularly Trump. During the 2020 presidential election, she publicly supported Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, stating that Trump was “clearly aware that we don’t want him as president.” Following this endorsement, Trump criticized her on social media, declaring, “I hate Taylor Swift!” He later remarked, “Has anyone noticed that since I said ‘I hate Taylor Swift,’ she hasn’t been ‘hot stuff’?” This tension between the artist and the former president has continued to simmer, even as Swift has grown more assertive in protecting her creative output. In May 2025, Swift made headlines by purchasing the master recordings of her first six albums, giving her full ownership of her early discography. This move marked the culmination of years of effort to reclaim control over her music, following initial sales to Scooter Braun and investment firm Shamrock Capital. While owning the masters grants her greater authority over her work, the complexities of licensing and distribution remain. She continues to collaborate with Universal Music Publishing Group, which manages her publishing rights. As such, the use of her music in political contexts still requires careful navigation of contractual agreements and copyright laws. Despite these challenges, Swift has remained politically engaged, especially in recent elections. Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential race, she openly endorsed Kamala Harris, addressing concerns about misinformation and deepfake images circulating online. She emphasized the importance of clear communication in politics, noting how false visuals had influenced public perception. Her stance on Trump has been consistent, reinforcing her position as a figure who values transparency and authenticity in public life. The current dispute over her music’s use underscores the broader tensions between celebrity influence and political messaging in modern society.