An artist’s cease-and-desist over a White House ad using his song spotlights a real licensing fight, not a culture-war soundbite.
Story Snapshot
- The artist’s lawyers demand the government stop using “Love Me” in a Trump-era PSA ad.
- The letter seeks a full airing log and spending details for every placement of the spot.
- The White House frames the ad as a patriotic public-service message, not a campaign ad.
- No public record has shown a specific music license for the ad’s use so far.
Cease-and-Desist Targets Use of “Love Me” in Government Ad
Attorneys for Christian Berishaj, known as JMSN, sent a cease-and-desist letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Monday, September 28, 2026. The letter demands the administration stop using the song “Love Me” in a taxpayer-funded ad and withdraw scheduled airings. Reports from major outlets describe the demand as specific and formal. The artist’s team says the government used the track without permission or proper licenses, and they want the ad pulled immediately.
JMSN also posted a public statement that he would never authorize his music for any political agenda or campaign. He said he did not grant the White House a license to use “Love Me.” His lawyers added he does not want to be seen as affiliated with President Trump or the administration. These are clear, on-the-record claims from the artist’s side. They shape the public dispute while legal questions move forward in the background.
Legal Fight Centers on Copyright and Ad-Specific Music Rights
Copyright disputes in politics often turn on the exact kind of license needed for video. Congress’s research summaries explain that a video ad typically needs two separate permissions: a synchronization license for the musical work and a master-use license for the sound recording. These are different from the blanket performance licenses that cover songs at venues. That means a tune that is fine at a rally can still be off-limits in a broadcast ad without those ad-specific rights.
Here, the artist’s lawyers claim the use of “Love Me” in a government ad lacked those ad-specific licenses. They call it a violation of federal copyright law. The letter also demands a written accounting for every airing and online posting, including date, time, outlet, market, program, and total media spend. That request seeks to pin down scope and cost, which would be vital if a lawsuit follows or a settlement is discussed later.
White House Says It Is a Patriotic PSA, Not a Campaign Spot
Coverage reports the White House frames the ad as a public-service announcement about reminding Americans to love their country. Officials argue it is not a campaign ad because President Trump is not on the ballot and there is no call to action. That defense focuses on intent and content, not on licensing paperwork. The public record in the reporting shows no license presented by the government to settle the dispute at this stage.
Conservatives can support clear rules without caving to cancel culture. If it is a true PSA, it should still follow the law on music rights. A patriotic message does not erase the need for synchronization and master-use licenses. Proper documentation protects taxpayer dollars and keeps the focus on results. The faster the paperwork surfaces, the sooner this fight ends and attention returns to policy wins and lower costs for families.
What We Know, What We Do Not, and Why It Matters
The facts on record show a formal cease-and-desist, a public denial of any license by the artist, and a government defense based on the ad’s PSA nature. The reporting does not include the ad’s full clearance file, cue sheets, or any license document. It also does not include a filed lawsuit or court ruling. That means this is a live dispute, not a legal judgment. The next step likely hinges on whether verifiable licenses exist for the exact use.
The R&B artist whose music appears in a taxpayer-funded ad promoting President Donald Trump is threatening legal action unless the White House stops using his song. https://t.co/TJ3Szo2OHL
— Hamed Ahmadi (@ahmadihamed_) September 29, 2026
For readers who value limited government and the rule of law, the path is simple. Demand transparency, insist on clean licensing, and keep the message about America strong. If a third-party license exists, show it. If not, fix it or swap the track. Either way, the public deserves ads that are lawful, on mission, and respectful of property rights. That standard protects artists and taxpayers while keeping the focus on service, not sideshow.
