Kenny Loggins Tells Trump: “Take It Down” — Music Legend Slams Use of Danger Zone in AI Video

A Classic Hit, a Controversial Use

Musician Kenny Loggins is calling out President Trump after discovering that his 1986 Top Gun anthem, “Danger Zone,” was used without permission in an AI-generated video posted to Trump’s Truth Social account over the weekend. The clip, which appeared Saturday night, depicted a crown-wearing Trump piloting a fighter jet labeled “KING TRUMP” dumping sludge over protesters in Times Square—an apparent response to the “No Kings” protests held nationwide that same day.

According to NPR, Loggins said the use of his song was unauthorized and emphasized that he “would never have granted permission if asked.” The singer-songwriter criticized the divisive tone of the video, saying it was created “with the sole purpose of dividing us.”

“We’re All Americans”

In a public statement Monday, Loggins urged that the video be taken down, adding:

“Too many people are trying to tear us apart, and we need to find new ways to come together. We’re all Americans, and we’re all patriotic. There is no ‘us and them.’ It’s all of us.”

He called for unity through music, saying his hope is that songs can serve as a tool for “celebrating and uniting each and every one of us.”

The Legal Gray Zone

Musicians have long battled politicians over unauthorized song use, though public performance licenses often allow songs to be played at events as long as royalty payments are made to rights holders. However, artists can bar their music from use in campaign ads, and AI-generated videos like this one raise new questions about copyright and consent in the digital age.

When contacted by NPR and Variety, a White House spokesperson responded with a Top Gun-inspired meme captioned: “I FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED.”