Kenny Loggins Wants His ‘Danger Zone’ Taken Out Of Trump’s Controversial AI Video
by Mary Whitfill Roeloffs · ForbesTopline
Musician Kenny Loggins says the use of his song "Danger Zone" in a controversial video posted by President Donald Trump over the weekend—in which he appears to dumb feces on top of millions of people protesting his administration—was done without permission and wants it out of the video “immediately.”
Key Facts
Loggins would have denied the administration permission to use the song had he been asked, he said in a statement Monday, adding "I request that my recording on this video is removed immediately."
On Saturday night, after an estimated 7 million people gathered nationwide for a "No Kings" protest against the Trump administration, the president posted to Truth Social an AI-generated video that showed himself wearing a crown while sitting in a fighter jet emblazoned with the phrase "King Trump.”
The jet then dumps a liquid brown material on top of crowds carrying American flags and signs, all while “Danger Zone,” performed by Loggins for the 1986 movie “Top Gun,” plays in the background.
The video quickly was shared across all the major social platforms, with millions of views.
The White House did not immediately respond to Forbes request for comment on Monday, or answer questions as to if the video would be taken down.
Crucial Quote
"I can't imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us,” Loggins’ statement said.
Key Background
More than a dozen musicians have spoken out after their music was used without permission by Trump since his first campaign. Neil Young was one of the first, protesting the use of his songs at Trump campaign events in 2016, later suing after Trump used “Rockin’ in the Free World” and “Devil’s Sidewalk” at a campaign rally (Young dropped the suit after Trump lost the 2020 election). Michael Stipe, lead vocalist of rock band R.E.M., told the Trump camp to "go f—k yourselves" in 2015 after it used "It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)" on the campaign trail, and other artists who’ve spoken up include the Village People, The Rolling Stones, John Fogerty, Cher, Céline Dion and Beyoncé.