Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 29
JMSN Demands White House Halt Use of 'Love Me' in Trump Ad by Thursday
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 29

JMSN Demands White House Halt Use of 'Love Me' in Trump Ad by Thursday

1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 29

Summary

  • Christian Berishaj, who performs as JMSN, sent a cease-and-desist letter Monday demanding the White House stop using his song “Love Me” in a Trump promotional ad and confirm compliance by Thursday.
  • The letter to Chief of Staff Susie Wiles says Berishaj never authorized the use and does not want any direct or indirect affiliation with Trump or his administration.
  • The song appeared in a self-promotional video running on conservative stations and paid for with public money; a shorter version was also posted on the White House’s official YouTube channel.
  • The White House has defended the spending by calling the ad a public service announcement, setting up a dispute over both music rights and official use of government funds.

Insights

Did the White House have the legal rights to use JMSN’s “Love Me,” or can a taxpayer-funded video still cross copyright lines?
Why do artists keep challenging official uses of their music, and what makes video permission different from ordinary broadcast licenses?