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Musician JMSN sends White House cease-and-desist over song in taxpayer-funded Trump ad

Lawyers for the musician JMSN have told the White House to stop using his song "Love Me" in a government-paid ad featuring Donald Trump, citing copyright law. The White House calls the spots public service announcements; critics, including some Republicans, call them political.

2 outlets · 1L · 1C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: CBS News
Image: Deadline

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The story, neutrally told

Lawyers for the musician JMSN, whose real name is Christian Berishaj, have sent a cease-and-desist letter to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles over the use of his song "Love Me" in a Trump ad. The letter alleges the song was used without proper clearances and breaches federal copyright law. It demands the ad be withdrawn from scheduled airings, that online copies be removed, and that the White House give a written accounting of every airing and the media spend.

JMSN said on X that he never licensed the song and would never authorise his music for any political agenda or campaign. He is represented by Norman Eisen, a former White House ethics official, whose group Democracy Defenders Action, together with Ballard Spahr, is listed as his representation. The letter argues that use in an "overtly partisan, political advertisement" could make people question JMSN's artistic independence and integrity.

The White House has described the spots as public service announcements that are "clearly not political"; a spokesperson said they are about reminding Americans to love their country. Democrats and some Republicans say the ads are campaign propaganda, and Republican Sens. John Kennedy and Thom Tillis have criticised them. Estimates of spending differ: CBS cites AdImpact at almost $2.5 million across at least three ads, while Deadline, citing NBC News, gives $1.7 million. The White House had not responded to requests for comment on the letter.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left1 outlet

Framing
Detailed news report that leads with the copyright demand and places it within wider scrutiny of the taxpayer-funded ad campaign, including Republican criticism.
Emphasis
The ad's content, the ad spend, the other ads, the Democracy Forward records requests and Republican senators' criticism.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not stress the letter's argument about JMSN's artistic independence and integrity.
Charged language
“taxpayer-funded ads”
For example
“Attorneys for JMSN say the use of the song is a violation of federal Copyright Law and demand the ad be withdrawn.” — CBS News
“I don't think any public official, including President Trump or Kristi Noem or John Kennedy, should spend public money on private ads for themselves.” — CBS News

Centre1 outlet

Framing
Short entertainment-trade report centred on the artist's letter and its claim that the song's use is damaging to his reputation; stresses the ad was paid for with tax dollars rather than campaign funds.
Emphasis
The letter's wording on JMSN's independence and integrity, and the tax-funded nature of the spot.
Leaves out or plays down
Gives less detail on the ad's content, other ads, records requests and the named Republican critics.
Charged language
“Fires Off”“hit with a cease-and-desist letter”“campaign propaganda”
For example
“The White House has been hit with a cease-and-desist letter from a musician whose song was featured in a promotional ad featuring Donald Trump” — Deadline
“it could cause others to call into question JMSN’s artistic independence and integrity.” — Deadline

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.