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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe White House hit back at folk-pop singer Noah Kahan on Thursday, after the artist expressed outrage over the Trump administration using his track "American Cars" to highlight American manufacturing.
The Grammy-nominated singer criticized a joint Instagram post from the White House and the official POTUS account featuring President Donald Trump touring a General Motors test facility in Michigan with the caption "Made in America is BACK."
The use of the song "American Cars" led users online to tag the singer, who responded directly in the comment section.
Kahan wrote Tuesday on Instagram, "Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration." Levine, a co-writer on the song, responded with profanity, according to Variety, writing, "You fat f---, this song isn’t for you."
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Rather than backing down, the White House mocked the singer's criticism, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter . Kaelan Dorr of the White House Office of Digital Strategy took to X, writing, "Symptoms of TDS apparently include having a northern attitude." Instagram has since listed the post’s audio as "unavailable."
"TDS," short for Trump Derangement Syndrome, is a term frequently used by conservatives to describe hostility towards the president. The X post also referenced Kahan’s hit song "Northern Attitude," which has racked up over 700 million streams.
Kahan joins a growing list of musicians who have objected to the administration's use of their music on social media or at rallies, including Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Celine Dion and Beyoncé.
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In November 2025, Disney star turned singer Olivia Rodrigo called out the White House and the Department of Homeland Security for using her song in a post encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport. She took to Instagram to express her outrage, writing, "Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda."
A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital earlier this year, "America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe," referencing Rodrigo's "grateful all the time" lyric. "We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice."
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Most recently, Katy Perry condemned the White House’s use of her song "Firework" over footage of military strikes, writing that she "did not approve this" and does not condone its use.
Kahan has largely stayed out of national political battles, choosing instead to focus on advocacy for mental health resources.
He founded the "Busyhead Project," whose website describes it as a "non-profit mental health organization" which "aims to end the stigma around mental health and improve access to resources.
" In recognition of his efforts, Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott declared Sept. 19 "Noah Kahan's Busyhead Project Day."
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