Singer JMSN Sues White House Over Unauthorized Use of Song in Political Advertisement
Singer-songwriter JMSN sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Trump White House demanding the removal of his viral song 'Love Me' from a government-funded promotional advertisement running on cable news networks and YouTube. The artist's lawyers stated that JMSN never authorized the use of the track and would not have granted permission, as the partisan political context could damage his artistic independence and reputation. The song, which has 138 million Spotify streams, gained renewed popularity in late 2025 through a viral meme.
Christian Berishaj, performing professionally under the stage name JMSN, has built a career as a singer-songwriter since the early 2010s. His track "Love Me" achieved substantial streaming success with over 138 million plays on Spotify. The song's visibility grew significantly in late 2025 when it became integrated into an internet meme that parodied the structure of Drake song introductions, introducing it to a broader audience.
The White House's defense of the advertisement centered on its classification as educational rather than electoral advocacy. Officials characterized the spot as a public service announcement because it allegedly did not solicit votes or prompt specific voter action. The ad itself features the President making statements about American governance while highlighting administration policies, with the song serving as background accompaniment across cable news networks and digital platforms.
This dispute highlights ongoing tensions between political campaigns and artists regarding intellectual property rights and brand association. Musicians may face reputational concerns when their work appears in partisan contexts without consent, potentially affecting listener perception and commercial relationships. The case could influence how campaigns approach music licensing and may strengthen awareness among rights holders about protecting their work from unauthorized political use. Questions may also emerge about oversight mechanisms for government-funded advertisements and the standards distinguishing educational from political messaging.