Ariana Grande did not hold back after seeing one of her biggest songs used in a political message she says she does not support.
“Never use my music again. Also, your truth is false.”
The singer left the sharp response after a Team Trump TikTok used her 2024 hit “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” in a video featuring Donald Trump walking toward a podium. The post used the lyric “Me and my truth we sit in silence” before displaying a statement about transgender participation in women’s sports.
Grande’s short but direct reply quickly became the defining moment of the controversy, turning a campaign-style social media post into another public debate over artists’ music being connected to political messages.
The clash also carries a familiar theme for Grande. It is the second time in recent months that she has publicly objected after one of her songs appeared in Trump-related messaging.
Ariana Grande Rejects the Message Attached to Her Song
The TikTok featured Trump walking toward a podium while Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” played in the background. The video included the lyric “Me and my truth we sit in silence” before adding the statement: “Men can’t have babies and should never compete in women’s sports.”
The post also included the caption: “This shouldn’t be controversial! #trump #arianagrande #maga.”
@teamtrump This shouldn’t be controversial! #trump #arianagrande #maga ♬ original sound – Amina Kaddachi
Grande responded directly in the comments, writing: “Never use my music again. Also, your truth is false.”
Her response appeared to challenge both the use of her song and the video’s framing of its message around the idea of “truth.” Rather than releasing a longer statement, the singer used a single sentence to make clear that she did not want her music associated with the post.
A Team Trump account posted the video, not Donald Trump’s personal account or the White House. The distinction matters because political campaigns, administration accounts and personal accounts can operate separately on social media.
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The Latest Dispute Follows Grande’s Earlier Objection
The controversy comes after another public disagreement between Grande and Trump-related accounts over the use of her music.
Earlier this year, her song “Bye” appeared in a video connected to immigration enforcement. Grande criticized the use of the track and wrote: “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.”
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Her latest response suggests the issue has become more than a single incident. Grande has now twice spoken out after her music was paired with political content she does not want to represent.
The newer dispute also raised questions about what happens when artists object after their songs appear in online political videos. Grande’s label was reportedly working to have the song removed from TikTok, but the video’s status remained unclear at the time of reporting.
Related: Ariana Grande Told the White House “F— ICE,” and Within Hours Her Song Disappeared From Their TikTok
Why Musicians Are Pushing Back Against Political Song Use
Grande is part of a growing group of artists who have challenged the use of their music in political social media posts.
In recent months, several musicians have spoken out after their songs appeared alongside messages they said did not reflect their views. Sabrina Carpenter criticized the use of “Juno” in an immigration-related video, Olivia Rodrigo objected after “All-American Bitch” appeared in a Department of Homeland Security post, and Noah Kahan said he would never approve of his music being used in support of Trump or his administration.
The disagreements highlight a larger tension in the social media era. Once a song is released, it can quickly become part of videos, campaigns, and online conversations far beyond the artist’s control. But many musicians argue that their songs carry personal meaning and should not be used to promote causes they reject.
For Grande, the problem was not simply hearing her voice in a political video. It was seeing a song tied to a message she believes doesn’t represent her.
Grande Remains One of Pop’s Biggest Names
The controversy arrives during a major period in Grande’s career.
Her album “Petal” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 295,000 equivalent album units in the United States, giving her a seventh chart-topping album. She has also been performing on her Eternal Sunshine Tour, continuing a major run that has kept her in the spotlight.
The latest clash has put her music at the center of a political conversation, but Grande’s message focused on one thing: keeping her work separate from a statement she does not endorse.
As more artists face similar situations online, the debate over who controls a song’s meaning after it leaves the studio continues to grow.
Should artists have the power to stop political campaigns from using their songs, or should released music be open to interpretation once it reaches the public?
