'Disgusting': Furious pop star erupts at White House for using song to push war
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 18, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
March 02, 2026
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 18, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Pop star Kesha has joined a growing roster of musicians calling out the Trump administration for unauthorized use of their songs on social media.
The controversy erupted after the White House posted a TikTok video on Feb. 10 featuring her hit track "Blow" alongside military jets, including a fighter jet launching a missile at a naval ship, with the caption "Lethality." The clip has racked up more than 14 million views and 1.8 million likes.
Weeks after the post went live, Kesha took to social media on Monday to express her fury.
“It’s come to my attention that The White House has used one of my songs on TikTok to incite violence and threaten war,” wrote Kesha. “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. Love always trumps hate. please love yourself and each other in times like this. This show of blatant disregard for human life and quite frankly this attack on all of our nervous systems is the opposite of what I stand for.”
She didn't stop there, adding: "Also, don't let this distract us from the fact that criminal predator Donald Trump appears in the Files over a million times."
She tagged the White House in another post, writing: "Stop using my music, perverts @WhiteHouse."
Kesha's public rebuke follows similar blowback from Radiohead, who told the Department of Homeland Security to "go f---yourselves" over a pro-ICE video using their song "Let Down." Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and SZA have also condemned the government's unauthorized use of their music for what they view as promoting violence and harmful policies, Variety reported.