How Pop Stars and Politicians Took Beefs to a New Level in 2025

It’s not as if music and politics haven’t been unusual bedfellows for many years. But the bedding down received weirder than ever in 2025, while you have been as possible to see music superstars pop up in the headlines of a D.C. news web site like Politico as on Pitchfork. Here are some of the yr’s highlights — or, let’s be real, lowlights — in that crossover zone:

Jan. 20 — Performers at President Trump’s inaugural occasions embody such GOP-favoring artists as Jason Aldean and Kid Rock (who roars, “Is MAGA in the house tonight?”) in addition to less clearly partisan Carrie Underwood, who takes the most warmth from anti-Trumpers. She says she’s doing it because “we must all come together in the spirit of unity,” which in 2025 doesn’t rely as taking the temperature of the room.

May 15— Bruce Springsteen tells a British viewers that America is “in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration.” Trump responds by calling Springsteen “highly overrated,” “dumb as a rock” and a “dried out prune of a rocker (his skin is all atrophied!).” The president didn’t lend the Boss any tangerine orange moisturizer ideas.

May 16 — Unprompted by a lot of something, the president contends that music’s greatest famous person has gone from hero to zero under his withering social Truths: “Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ she’s no longer ‘HOT?’” Three months later, as an addendum to his reward of Sydney Sweeney, he provides of Swift, “I can’t stand her (HATE!).” OMG, gag him with a spoon!

May 29 — In considered one of many conciliatory strikes towards the hip-hop community, Trump pardons Young Boy NBA on a weapons conviction. Pras and Diddy foyer for their very own pardons (not yet efficiently) since the’re being handed out like sweet.

Oct. 8 — House Speaker Mike Johnson says Bad Bunny being booked for the Super Bowl halftime present is “a terrible decision… In my view, you would have Lee Greenwood, or role models, doing that. Not somebody like this… It sounds like he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience.” We’ll see whether or not his math on the seats he wants to maintain onto in 2026 is better than his math on Bad Bunny’s stats. Anyhow, method to courtroom that Latino vote.

Nov. 7 — Trolling with the best, the White House begins a video meme campaign consisting of appropriating big pop stars or hits for pro-ICE movies. Olivia Rodrigo blasts again: “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.” Sabrina Carpenter calls a meme utilizing her music “evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” Tweeted SZA: “White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK.” Of course, for this administration, triggering the world’s most beloved stars is a feature, not a flaw.

Dec. 7 —Kennedy Center honorees including Kiss and George Strait come to the White House for a medallion ceremony. Gene Simmons,  a longtime good friend of the president, insists he’s apolitical, however helps the president’s East Wing teardown: ““Have you ever been to Versailles? The American house of the people is shameful.” And he is aware of disgrace. So does Cheap Trick, which performs the Honors event to cowl Kiss’ “Rock N Roll All Nite,” then lives to remorse it every day. Many left-leaning supporters log on to resign their CT fandom, main the group to issue a Dec. 17 assertion swearing they weren’t there supporting Trump.

Dec. 12 —Nicki Minaj goes after California governor Gavin Newsom for supporting trans children, calling him a “wicked and evil man” who shall be “obliterated” by her campaign against him. Newsom merely responds by posting Megan Thee Stallion’s anti-Minaj diss observe, “Hiss.” It will get weirder when Vice President JD Vance, the latest topic of supportive Minaj posts, tweets “Nicki > Cardi” — additional establishing that all grownup political life is like high faculty, just not not as mature or noble.