November 10, 2025 • 17 mins
An escalating battle between pop star Olivia Rodrigo and DHS is playing out online right now. The government taking the latest public swipe at Rodrigo after she complained in the comment section of their Instagram ICE promotional video to take down her song being used in the clip. Boy did it spiral from there… and this isn’t the first time Rodrigo and the Trump administration have brawled. Rodrigo joins a growing list of artists who have complained or taken legal action against the administration for using their music.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hey there, everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
It is Monday, November tenth, and a new war is
brewing online between the Department of Homeland Security and Olivia Rodrigo.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
What the actual hell you told me about this story?
What are you talking about?
Speaker 4 (00:15):
Why are these two even aware of each other? What
is happening?
Speaker 2 (00:18):
This is a really interesting war of words that has escalated.
Rodrigo's fans are involved. And I couldn't I actually couldn't
get enough of this story because it has legs. This
is not the first and it won't be the last
musician to be upset with the Trump administration. We'll explain.
So what happened was the Department of Homeland Security put
(00:39):
up an Instagram post and it was a promotional clip
for ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and it shows agents
pursuing and handcuffing people.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
With an overlaid message.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
That says, if ICE find you, okay, wow, okay. Then
it shows people voluntarily boarding buses and planes alongside the
caption if you self.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Deport okay then emotional video.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
The post caption reads this leave now in all caps
and self deport using the CBP home app. If you don't,
you will face the consequences Okay, underneath this promotional video
is Olivia Rodrigo's song All American Bitch, and the lyrics
are all the time, I'm grateful all the time, I'm
(01:24):
sexy and I'm kind, I'm pretty when I cry relate.
I don't know all American Bitch. They used her song
in this video.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Did you listen playing? Does it fit?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It doesn't really match for me. I don't really understand
why they used it. But here's the amazing thing. So obviously,
at some point Olivia Rodrigo realizes they're using her song
to promote ice, so she goes onto the Instagram page
and writes a comment in the Instagram and says, don't
(01:59):
ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
Okay, I'm all in now, please tell me more about this.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Well, first, i'll tell you starting on Sunday, so Rodrigo's
comment was no longer available under the post. They literally
took her comment off. Okay, and then, but here's my
favorite part. Rodrigo fans saw that and decided to flood
the Department of Homeland Security Instagram post repeating her comment.
(02:28):
So you'll if you go on there right now, you'll
see it. There's a ton of Rodrigo fans. I'll give
you a few examples. Since y'all deleted Olivia Rodrigo's comment,
I will quote her in my comment, don't ever use
my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda. Another comment
said that the fact you deleted Olivia's comment, that's weird.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
This is the land of free speech, right that as.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Soon as you said, they deleted.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
How many times has that argument been made that you're
trying to keep speech down from conservatives or whoever else,
And it's got it's escalt, even to the point of violence,
that you're trying to silence somebody. One comment from one
pop singer.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Too much for us, get it off, took it down
now when you go onto the Instagram page. However, what
she wrote worked because it says this song is no
longer available, so you can't hear it anymore. They did
take the song down after she wrote that.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Can you tell if they did it or was it
a violation? Then Instagram was like, you are they unclear?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Don't know how or who took it down, but it
is the song. It says this song is no longer available.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
There's more to the story. Department of Homeland Security did
not take this all in quietly. They actually released a
statement scolding Olivia Rodrigo. I will quote them, America is
grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers
who keep us safe. We suggest Miss Rodrigo thank them
(03:58):
for their service, not little their sacrifice.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
What was her statement again?
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Her statement was, don't ever use my songs to promote
your racist, hateful propaganda.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
H Okay, okay.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
What do you make of DHS's decision then to publicly
scold Olivia Rodrigo?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
They have It's a big department that has very serious
life or death work to do. Quite frankly, eh, it
just it seems small. It just seems it makes the
department itself seem small that you're going after this young
lady in that way. I just wish somebody on some side,
And I'm not saying she's responsible, but someone could have
(04:43):
had a different tone in how they engage. These are
two people who two sides at least don't agree on something.
She has fans, Homeland Security has fans. I just if
there was a way to have a different conversation with
moments like this come up, instead of just fighting as
we always do and then go back to our core.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I hate this.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Story exactly, and well, here's the deal.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
This is so interesting because you would think the Department
of Homeland Security, or at least someone in their social
media team, would recognize that, of all people's songs to choose,
choosing Olivia Rodrigo song probably wasn't the best idea. She
has clearly and publicly and recently spoken out about our
(05:25):
current immigration policy. And I will quote her. She said
this in her June Instagram story. I lived in La
my whole life, and I am deeply upset about these
violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration. LA
simply wouldn't exist without immigrants. Treating hard working community members
with such little respect, empathy and due process is awful.
(05:48):
So here is an artist who has publicly spoken out
about ice and about the raids and about the administration's
immigration policy, and then they use her song in their
promotional post.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
You sounding like And I'm coming to this conclusion now.
This was not an accident. This was intentional trolling of
this young lady, and it usually comes at least when
it comes to the deministration the president with a purpose
he knows how to fire up the right people at
the right time to get on his side, to sometimes
(06:22):
distract he's being accused of. This is not an accident.
They know who this young lady is. You even speak
about the song, it doesn't really fit like there have
been some better options. Why would you use an Olivia
Rodrigo song at all? Not because you're fans of the
young lady, So there might be.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Gaslightness well, And the truth is, obviously more people are
now going to see this video because of the controversy,
because we're all talking about it. So that could be
smart on their part too, if you think, nope, there's
no such thing as bad press. They're getting more eyeballs
on their video. And here's another wrinkle in this story.
This isn't the first time the Trump administration has recently
(07:00):
used a Rodrigo song and got a similar response from her.
So to your point, let me go ahead and tell
you what happened. Just a short while ago, President Trump
used her deja Vu single to celebrate his return to
the White House for the second time, and she did
not hesitate to express her feelings about that. She went
(07:23):
into the comment section of that social media post where
he used deja vu to celebrate his victory, and that
time she said, ew, don't use my sound ever again,
thank you?
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Do they do the artists have They do have a say,
do they not in their music being used?
Speaker 4 (07:42):
They have to get permission.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Absolutely, So once she put that comment in that post,
they did take down, they did remove the song from
the video, and they deleted her comment. So this is
now round two.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Okay, why are they true, Olivia Rodrigo, This is plain
as day they have this is deja vu.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
You didn't tell me this. Okay.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Sometimes, folks, I'm sorry, Robe sets me up. Sometimes she'll
present a story that's great, said, oh, this is gonna
be a great talker. You're gonna love talking about this,
and all you gotta do is react. I'll handle everything.
So I am learning about this story. Now I feel
like you set me up. This is ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
I wanted to get your genuine reaction to this.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Obviously trolling this girl.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Because you're actually experiencing it the way I did.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I started I started looking at more stories and looking
at the history between these two and what's happened just
in recent months and over the past year, and this
now seems to me that it cannot be an accident.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
You've come to the same thing.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
We're doing this over and over again, like there's a
new person working social media at the White House that
didn't know about that last incident.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Of course not, they know what they're doing. I'm upset
with you for taking me on this emotional journey.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
I was feeling one way about it when it's clear
from the top what they're doing.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
This is not a coincidence. They have an.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Issue with Olivia Rodrigo and they keep going after her.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Well, and you know what, maybe it's not just Olivia Rodrigo.
There are This was an amazing morning for me researching
this story. There are so many other artists who are
in the same boat as Olivia Rodrigo, and they have
almost all taken some sort of legal action because of
(09:25):
use of their music to promote President Trump and or
his policies.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
I had no idea.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Look, we knew that the Trump administration tended or has
tended to be litigious and doesn't mind getting sued. This
has been the most mind blowing legal wrangling I've ever
seen in any administration. But when you start to hear
and we'll talk about this after the break the number
of artists who have pursued legal action against the Trump
(09:54):
administration for using their songs. Your mind will be blown.
Welcome back as we continue our conversation about basically musicians
versus President Trump, and that's what it's kind of become
(10:17):
as this story surrounding Olivia Rodrigo.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
This is so why don't you Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
And her song Okay? You remember the recent little video
that was put up on social media by the Trump
administration of him getting into that fighter jet and pooping
on protesters.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Yes, of course you remember that.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Do you remember the song that was.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Used, uh, danger zone?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Right?
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Well Kenny Logins, Kenny Loggins got upset and he denounced
the Trump administration's unauthorized use of his song in that
danger Zone.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
AI.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I didn't even know he got involved, but he was like,
do not use my music in your promotional video?
Speaker 4 (10:55):
All right?
Speaker 2 (10:55):
So Kenny Loggins, that was just a few weeks ago.
Turns out though Celine Dion very upset in twenty twenty
four he was using her song My Heart Will Go
On and I Love She wrote in no way is
this use authorized and Celine Dion does not endorse this
or any similar use and really that song, That's what
(11:15):
her statement said.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
Okay, I am on fate. That was my reaction. Why
you're using the song?
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Okay, okay, Shnead O'Connor nothing compares.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
To youonnor her estate because obviously she has since passed.
Had to get involved and say it is not an
exaggeration to say that Shaneade would have been disgusted, hurt
and insulted.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
What was the song?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Nothing compares to you? So he was using that he
was this was all a part of his campaign. So
he is going out on rallies, He's using songs coming
out where I've.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Seen We've all seen his rallies. And what point have
you ever seen President Trump in any video, any stage
where you thought, you.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Know what, my heart will go on? Nothing compares to you.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
He obviously has an emotional side that I just haven't
witness on these stages.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
But apparently this has all happened. Did you know this?
In the twenty twenty campaign, the prince.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
The folks who are who represent Princess of state had
to get involved because.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
I'm trying to get give me a second, you know,
I love prince. What possible song.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Of princes would work at a drump rally. Damn Nope,
none of that kiss is obvious. Purple rain doesn't work
when the doves cry is a little emotional. Can you
tell me what album it was?
Speaker 2 (12:32):
I don't know which album it is. I know the
song and you just named it so that no, not kiss,
no purple Rain. He used it during a campaign rally
in Minneapolis as he was campaigning for a president, and
he used the song a year after he already promised
the Princess state to stop using prince's works, and he
(12:56):
did it again, so they had to send a cease
desist order. You want, I'm going to name for you.
In the last four years, five years, how many artists
have sent cease and desist orders to Trump to stop
playing or using their music, either in rallies or in
promotional video.
Speaker 4 (13:14):
Is it? Is it double digits?
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (13:16):
I just want? Yes? Tom Petty Creeden's Clearwater Lay with.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Me on, Tom Petty, What's the one I've struggle with
every time you hear I hear a song I never
heard before from your genres as?
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Is that, Tom Petty?
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Yes, I know that you always wonder Tom Petty, Falling,
free Falling? Yes, that is him, I actually can tell
you what song, because I actually have all the songs
that that folks were upset about. I'm trying to get
to Tom Petty. I won't back down is the one
that Trump used. I won't go back all right. The Smiths, Yeah,
(13:53):
I didn't know this song, Lincoln Park in the End,
Creeden's Clearwater Revival, Fortunate Son, I know you don't know that,
Neil Young Rocking in the Free World, and Devil's Sidewalk,
and again. All of these artists sent the president cease
and desist orders. Pharrell Happy, cannot use my song Happy,
he said. Aerosmith didn't like him using Living on the Edge,
(14:17):
Rolling Stones didn't like him using you can't always get
what you want.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Phil Collins.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Phil Collins had to send the administration a cease and
desist because he played in the Air tonight. YEP. Panic
at the disco did not like him using high hopes
I hope so. Rihanna was very upset that he used
don't stop the music. Wow Guns and Roses was not
okay with him, saying sweet Child of Mine.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
Okay, but come on, Rihanna, I cannot imagine Rihanna song
playing and he.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
Used a Rihanna song ra em everybody hurts and losing
my religion. Michael Stipe actually spoke out and said, we
are exploring all legal avenues.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
To prevent this. He did not want Elton.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
John, Rocketman and Tiny Dancer, So Elton John had to
make a whole thing saying you cannot use my songs,
you cannot play them at political events, you cannot play
them at your rallies.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
So yes, he did not like that.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
He said, I don't want my music to be involved
in anything to do with an American election campaign. He said,
I'm British, I've met Donald Trump.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
He was nice to me.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
It's nothing personal, so he was actually very very generous
with what he said. His political views are his own.
Mine are very different. I'm not a Republican in a
million years. It was a very classy way to handle it.
But I was just surprised. I did not realize all
of these musicians who have been upset by the use
of their songs by the Trump administration.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
You know what, President's got a good taste of music, though.
It's a lot of good songs in it, a lot
of great artists, but the Olivia. Yet, you'll give Olivia right, Rigo, break.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Yes, just why, But I do I do appreciate the
fact that her fans. I think it was very clever
that they went back and you can go look for
yourself and flooded the comments section with her comment that
they deleted. It was a pretty brilliant tactic.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
For whatever reason, something has softened and lessened. And I
find the story funnier now knowing that they're doing it
on purpose, knowing that they've done it more than one
occasion to this same young lady, and also seeing how
her fans responded. But it's not that mean, but they're
still kind of poking. I just wished a better conversation
about what that video is while we use your song
(16:24):
and just instead of we're just pissing each other off,
we're finding a way not to come together, but actually
to throw punches. Sometimes there's uppercuts, sometimes they're just hooks,
sometimes they're just jabs. But we're still hitting each other,
and they're hitting Olivia Rodrigo.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Why maybe we can just all take a page from
the Elton John playbook and just plain nice.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
That was good. That was a good bit.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
I am all right, folks, I have to deal with
this one here. I didn't like how you sent me
up emotionally. With the up and down, I got so
upset about something that wasn't really the story until you
told me the story later. All Right, folks, we always
appreciate you spend some time with us. For my dear
Aaby Robot come to you. Jay Holmes will talk to
the outreal sent
Hey there, everybody.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
It is Monday, November tenth, and a new war is
brewing online between the Department of Homeland Security and Olivia Rodrigo.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
What the actual hell you told me about this story?
What are you talking about?
Speaker 4 (00:15):
Why are these two even aware of each other? What
is happening?
Speaker 2 (00:18):
This is a really interesting war of words that has escalated.
Rodrigo's fans are involved. And I couldn't I actually couldn't
get enough of this story because it has legs. This
is not the first and it won't be the last
musician to be upset with the Trump administration. We'll explain.
So what happened was the Department of Homeland Security put
(00:39):
up an Instagram post and it was a promotional clip
for ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and it shows agents
pursuing and handcuffing people.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
With an overlaid message.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
That says, if ICE find you, okay, wow, okay. Then
it shows people voluntarily boarding buses and planes alongside the
caption if you self.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
Deport okay then emotional video.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
The post caption reads this leave now in all caps
and self deport using the CBP home app. If you don't,
you will face the consequences Okay, underneath this promotional video
is Olivia Rodrigo's song All American Bitch, and the lyrics
are all the time, I'm grateful all the time, I'm
(01:24):
sexy and I'm kind, I'm pretty when I cry relate.
I don't know all American Bitch. They used her song
in this video.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Did you listen playing? Does it fit?
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It doesn't really match for me. I don't really understand
why they used it. But here's the amazing thing. So obviously,
at some point Olivia Rodrigo realizes they're using her song
to promote ice, so she goes onto the Instagram page
and writes a comment in the Instagram and says, don't
(01:59):
ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
Okay, I'm all in now, please tell me more about this.
Speaker 2 (02:07):
Well, first, i'll tell you starting on Sunday, so Rodrigo's
comment was no longer available under the post. They literally
took her comment off. Okay, and then, but here's my
favorite part. Rodrigo fans saw that and decided to flood
the Department of Homeland Security Instagram post repeating her comment.
(02:28):
So you'll if you go on there right now, you'll
see it. There's a ton of Rodrigo fans. I'll give
you a few examples. Since y'all deleted Olivia Rodrigo's comment,
I will quote her in my comment, don't ever use
my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda. Another comment
said that the fact you deleted Olivia's comment, that's weird.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
This is the land of free speech, right that as.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Soon as you said, they deleted.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
How many times has that argument been made that you're
trying to keep speech down from conservatives or whoever else,
And it's got it's escalt, even to the point of violence,
that you're trying to silence somebody. One comment from one
pop singer.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Too much for us, get it off, took it down
now when you go onto the Instagram page. However, what
she wrote worked because it says this song is no
longer available, so you can't hear it anymore. They did
take the song down after she wrote that.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Can you tell if they did it or was it
a violation? Then Instagram was like, you are they unclear?
Speaker 2 (03:30):
Don't know how or who took it down, but it
is the song. It says this song is no longer available.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
Now.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
There's more to the story. Department of Homeland Security did
not take this all in quietly. They actually released a
statement scolding Olivia Rodrigo. I will quote them, America is
grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers
who keep us safe. We suggest Miss Rodrigo thank them
(03:58):
for their service, not little their sacrifice.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
What was her statement again?
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Her statement was, don't ever use my songs to promote
your racist, hateful propaganda.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
H Okay, okay.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
What do you make of DHS's decision then to publicly
scold Olivia Rodrigo?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
They have It's a big department that has very serious
life or death work to do. Quite frankly, eh, it
just it seems small. It just seems it makes the
department itself seem small that you're going after this young
lady in that way. I just wish somebody on some side,
And I'm not saying she's responsible, but someone could have
(04:43):
had a different tone in how they engage. These are
two people who two sides at least don't agree on something.
She has fans, Homeland Security has fans. I just if
there was a way to have a different conversation with
moments like this come up, instead of just fighting as
we always do and then go back to our core.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I hate this.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Story exactly, and well, here's the deal.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
This is so interesting because you would think the Department
of Homeland Security, or at least someone in their social
media team, would recognize that, of all people's songs to choose,
choosing Olivia Rodrigo song probably wasn't the best idea. She
has clearly and publicly and recently spoken out about our
(05:25):
current immigration policy. And I will quote her. She said
this in her June Instagram story. I lived in La
my whole life, and I am deeply upset about these
violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration. LA
simply wouldn't exist without immigrants. Treating hard working community members
with such little respect, empathy and due process is awful.
(05:48):
So here is an artist who has publicly spoken out
about ice and about the raids and about the administration's
immigration policy, and then they use her song in their
promotional post.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
You sounding like And I'm coming to this conclusion now.
This was not an accident. This was intentional trolling of
this young lady, and it usually comes at least when
it comes to the deministration the president with a purpose
he knows how to fire up the right people at
the right time to get on his side, to sometimes
(06:22):
distract he's being accused of. This is not an accident.
They know who this young lady is. You even speak
about the song, it doesn't really fit like there have
been some better options. Why would you use an Olivia
Rodrigo song at all? Not because you're fans of the
young lady, So there might be.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Gaslightness well, And the truth is, obviously more people are
now going to see this video because of the controversy,
because we're all talking about it. So that could be
smart on their part too, if you think, nope, there's
no such thing as bad press. They're getting more eyeballs
on their video. And here's another wrinkle in this story.
This isn't the first time the Trump administration has recently
(07:00):
used a Rodrigo song and got a similar response from her.
So to your point, let me go ahead and tell
you what happened. Just a short while ago, President Trump
used her deja Vu single to celebrate his return to
the White House for the second time, and she did
not hesitate to express her feelings about that. She went
(07:23):
into the comment section of that social media post where
he used deja vu to celebrate his victory, and that
time she said, ew, don't use my sound ever again,
thank you?
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Do they do the artists have They do have a say,
do they not in their music being used?
Speaker 4 (07:42):
They have to get permission.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Absolutely, So once she put that comment in that post,
they did take down, they did remove the song from
the video, and they deleted her comment. So this is
now round two.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
Okay, why are they true, Olivia Rodrigo, This is plain
as day they have this is deja vu.
Speaker 4 (08:06):
You didn't tell me this. Okay.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Sometimes, folks, I'm sorry, Robe sets me up. Sometimes she'll
present a story that's great, said, oh, this is gonna
be a great talker. You're gonna love talking about this,
and all you gotta do is react. I'll handle everything.
So I am learning about this story. Now I feel
like you set me up. This is ridiculous.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
I wanted to get your genuine reaction to this.
Speaker 4 (08:24):
Obviously trolling this girl.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
Because you're actually experiencing it the way I did.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I started I started looking at more stories and looking
at the history between these two and what's happened just
in recent months and over the past year, and this
now seems to me that it cannot be an accident.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
You've come to the same thing.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
We're doing this over and over again, like there's a
new person working social media at the White House that
didn't know about that last incident.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
Of course not, they know what they're doing. I'm upset
with you for taking me on this emotional journey.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
I was feeling one way about it when it's clear
from the top what they're doing.
Speaker 4 (08:59):
This is not a coincidence. They have an.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
Issue with Olivia Rodrigo and they keep going after her.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Well, and you know what, maybe it's not just Olivia Rodrigo.
There are This was an amazing morning for me researching
this story. There are so many other artists who are
in the same boat as Olivia Rodrigo, and they have
almost all taken some sort of legal action because of
(09:25):
use of their music to promote President Trump and or
his policies.
Speaker 1 (09:29):
I had no idea.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Look, we knew that the Trump administration tended or has
tended to be litigious and doesn't mind getting sued. This
has been the most mind blowing legal wrangling I've ever
seen in any administration. But when you start to hear
and we'll talk about this after the break the number
of artists who have pursued legal action against the Trump
(09:54):
administration for using their songs. Your mind will be blown.
Welcome back as we continue our conversation about basically musicians
versus President Trump, and that's what it's kind of become
(10:17):
as this story surrounding Olivia Rodrigo.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
This is so why don't you Okay.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
And her song Okay? You remember the recent little video
that was put up on social media by the Trump
administration of him getting into that fighter jet and pooping
on protesters.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Yes, of course you remember that.
Speaker 1 (10:35):
Do you remember the song that was.
Speaker 4 (10:36):
Used, uh, danger zone?
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Right?
Speaker 1 (10:38):
Yes?
Speaker 2 (10:39):
Well Kenny Logins, Kenny Loggins got upset and he denounced
the Trump administration's unauthorized use of his song in that
danger Zone.
Speaker 1 (10:48):
AI.
Speaker 2 (10:49):
I didn't even know he got involved, but he was like,
do not use my music in your promotional video?
Speaker 4 (10:55):
All right?
Speaker 2 (10:55):
So Kenny Loggins, that was just a few weeks ago.
Turns out though Celine Dion very upset in twenty twenty
four he was using her song My Heart Will Go
On and I Love She wrote in no way is
this use authorized and Celine Dion does not endorse this
or any similar use and really that song, That's what
(11:15):
her statement said.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
Okay, I am on fate. That was my reaction. Why
you're using the song?
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Okay, okay, Shnead O'Connor nothing compares.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
To youonnor her estate because obviously she has since passed.
Had to get involved and say it is not an
exaggeration to say that Shaneade would have been disgusted, hurt
and insulted.
Speaker 4 (11:34):
What was the song?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Nothing compares to you? So he was using that he
was this was all a part of his campaign. So
he is going out on rallies, He's using songs coming
out where I've.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Seen We've all seen his rallies. And what point have
you ever seen President Trump in any video, any stage
where you thought, you.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
Know what, my heart will go on? Nothing compares to you.
Speaker 2 (11:57):
He obviously has an emotional side that I just haven't
witness on these stages.
Speaker 1 (12:02):
But apparently this has all happened. Did you know this?
In the twenty twenty campaign, the prince.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
The folks who are who represent Princess of state had
to get involved because.
Speaker 4 (12:12):
I'm trying to get give me a second, you know,
I love prince. What possible song.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Of princes would work at a drump rally. Damn Nope,
none of that kiss is obvious. Purple rain doesn't work
when the doves cry is a little emotional. Can you
tell me what album it was?
Speaker 2 (12:32):
I don't know which album it is. I know the
song and you just named it so that no, not kiss,
no purple Rain. He used it during a campaign rally
in Minneapolis as he was campaigning for a president, and
he used the song a year after he already promised
the Princess state to stop using prince's works, and he
(12:56):
did it again, so they had to send a cease
desist order. You want, I'm going to name for you.
In the last four years, five years, how many artists
have sent cease and desist orders to Trump to stop
playing or using their music, either in rallies or in
promotional video.
Speaker 4 (13:14):
Is it? Is it double digits?
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (13:16):
I just want? Yes? Tom Petty Creeden's Clearwater Lay with.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Me on, Tom Petty, What's the one I've struggle with
every time you hear I hear a song I never
heard before from your genres as?
Speaker 4 (13:30):
Is that, Tom Petty?
Speaker 2 (13:32):
Yes, I know that you always wonder Tom Petty, Falling,
free Falling? Yes, that is him, I actually can tell
you what song, because I actually have all the songs
that that folks were upset about. I'm trying to get
to Tom Petty. I won't back down is the one
that Trump used. I won't go back all right. The Smiths, Yeah,
(13:53):
I didn't know this song, Lincoln Park in the End,
Creeden's Clearwater Revival, Fortunate Son, I know you don't know that,
Neil Young Rocking in the Free World, and Devil's Sidewalk,
and again. All of these artists sent the president cease
and desist orders. Pharrell Happy, cannot use my song Happy,
he said. Aerosmith didn't like him using Living on the Edge,
(14:17):
Rolling Stones didn't like him using you can't always get
what you want.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
Phil Collins.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Phil Collins had to send the administration a cease and
desist because he played in the Air tonight. YEP. Panic
at the disco did not like him using high hopes
I hope so. Rihanna was very upset that he used
don't stop the music. Wow Guns and Roses was not
okay with him, saying sweet Child of Mine.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
Okay, but come on, Rihanna, I cannot imagine Rihanna song
playing and he.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
Used a Rihanna song ra em everybody hurts and losing
my religion. Michael Stipe actually spoke out and said, we
are exploring all legal avenues.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
To prevent this. He did not want Elton.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
John, Rocketman and Tiny Dancer, So Elton John had to
make a whole thing saying you cannot use my songs,
you cannot play them at political events, you cannot play
them at your rallies.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
So yes, he did not like that.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
He said, I don't want my music to be involved
in anything to do with an American election campaign. He said,
I'm British, I've met Donald Trump.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
He was nice to me.
Speaker 2 (15:21):
It's nothing personal, so he was actually very very generous
with what he said. His political views are his own.
Mine are very different. I'm not a Republican in a
million years. It was a very classy way to handle it.
But I was just surprised. I did not realize all
of these musicians who have been upset by the use
of their songs by the Trump administration.
Speaker 3 (15:42):
You know what, President's got a good taste of music, though.
It's a lot of good songs in it, a lot
of great artists, but the Olivia. Yet, you'll give Olivia right, Rigo, break.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
Yes, just why, But I do I do appreciate the
fact that her fans. I think it was very clever
that they went back and you can go look for
yourself and flooded the comments section with her comment that
they deleted. It was a pretty brilliant tactic.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
For whatever reason, something has softened and lessened. And I
find the story funnier now knowing that they're doing it
on purpose, knowing that they've done it more than one
occasion to this same young lady, and also seeing how
her fans responded. But it's not that mean, but they're
still kind of poking. I just wished a better conversation
about what that video is while we use your song
(16:24):
and just instead of we're just pissing each other off,
we're finding a way not to come together, but actually
to throw punches. Sometimes there's uppercuts, sometimes they're just hooks,
sometimes they're just jabs. But we're still hitting each other,
and they're hitting Olivia Rodrigo.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
Why maybe we can just all take a page from
the Elton John playbook and just plain nice.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
That was good. That was a good bit.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
I am all right, folks, I have to deal with
this one here. I didn't like how you sent me
up emotionally. With the up and down, I got so
upset about something that wasn't really the story until you
told me the story later. All Right, folks, we always
appreciate you spend some time with us. For my dear
Aaby Robot come to you. Jay Holmes will talk to
the outreal sent
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com