Donald Trump’s official campaign TikTok account has faced audio restrictions after using unauthorized tracks by Taylor Swift, prompting a digital dispute between the political campaign and the pop star over copyright and campaign branding, according to social media posts and reports from outlets like PopBase.
The TikTok Campaign Posts and Audio Removals
The conflict escalated when the official Team Trump TikTok account published a mocked-up “Red” album artwork featuring Donald Trump’s face, paired with a live performance version of Swift’s 2012 track “Red.” According to campaign posts analyzed by observers, the graphic included text asking if users knew Swift wrote an entire album about the color of the Republican Party. Days prior, the account used Swift’s 2020 song “August” over an edited video of Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watching fireworks, captioned with the note that the campaign was sure Swift would be excited about the song choice. Users soon noted that the audio had been stripped, displaying a message reading “This audio isn’t available.” Similar takedowns affected campaign videos utilizing Swift’s 2025 tracks “Father Figure” and “Opalite,” according to social media documentation.
Broader Political Tensions and Celebrity Pushback
The friction between the campaign and the artist builds on a well-documented history of political opposition. Taylor Swift publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president ahead of the 2024 election, while Donald Trump has frequently criticized the singer, declaring in May 2025 that she was “no longer hot.” Swift is far from the first recording artist to object to the unauthorized use of their music by the Trump campaign. According to public reports, musicians including Kesha, Sabrina Carpenter, and Katy Perry have similarly demanded that the campaign stop using their copyrighted tracks at political events and in promotional digital media.
Pro Tip: Digital campaign strategists must secure explicit licensing or platform-approved audio tools before integrating commercial music into political advertisements to avoid swift copyright enforcement actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Taylor Swift’s songs disappear from Donald Trump’s TikTok videos?
According to social media reports, Swift’s team removed the available audio for tracks like “august,” “Red,” “Opalite,” and “Father Figure” after the Team Trump account used them without authorization in campaign posts.
What other artists have objected to the Trump campaign using their music?
Kesha, Sabrina Carpenter, and Katy Perry have all previously told the campaign to keep its hands off their music, according to entertainment reporting.
Did Taylor Swift endorse a candidate in the 2024 election?
Yes, Taylor Swift publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for president prior to the 2024 election.
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