JMSN is suing the Trump administration over the use of his song “Love Me” in a government ad, alleging copyright violation and false endorsement while accusing the administration of improper use of taxpayer money for political purposes. The musician’s legal team demands immediate cessation, removal of airings and posts, and a written tally of every instance the song has been used. The White House has not provided comment, and a version of the ad featuring a montage and the line “AMERICA WILL NEVER BE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY” remained on YouTube at the time. Officials maintain the spots are not campaign ads but rather reminders of civic duty, though critics view the materials as propaganda. The case centers on rights, funding, and the administration’s framing of the ads amid ongoing debate over their purpose.
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Artist JMSN asserts that the government used his track “Love Me” without permission, creating a potential copyright violation and implying an endorsement by the artist for government messaging.
The filing argues the ad improperly leverages taxpayer funds for political purposes, citing an appropriations law that restricts public spending on publicity or propaganda.
JMSN’s attorneys seek a comprehensive stop to the use of the song, immediate cancellation of scheduled airings, removal of posts, and a detailed accounting of every airing and online post featuring the track.
A version of the ad containing a montage of the president and the phrase “AMERICA WILL NEVER BE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY” was still visible on the White House’s YouTube channel when the story published.
White House officials have framed the materials as non-campaign ads, insisting they are intended to remind Americans of national values rather than promote political activity, though critics dispute this characterization.