Jack White vs. Donald Trump: Inside Their Long-Running Celebrity Feud
Rock musician Jack White, known as the frontman of The White Stripes, has become one of the most outspoken celebrity critics of Donald J. Trump. Jack’s opposition stretches back years. It includes a 2024 legal warning over the unauthorized use of The White Stripes’ song “Seven Nation Army” in a Trump campaign video. More recently, Jack’s mockery of Trump’s Oval Office décor and repeated accusations that Trump embodies authoritarian tendencies drew a rare public retort from the White House communications director. Here’s what to know about Jack and Trump’s long-running celebrity feud.
Jack White objected to Donald Trump using The White Stripes’ music in 2016
In October 2016, The White Stripes, led by Jack White, publicly condemned the use of their iconic song “Seven Nation Army” in a campaign video supporting then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. The band stated through Third Man Records that they did not permit the song’s use. And they made clear they had “nothing whatsoever to do with this video” and said they were “disgusted by this association” with Trump’s campaign. The band asserted that the appearance of their music in that context was unauthorized and unacceptable.
According to The Guardian, the band then started selling T-shirts that read, “ICKY TRUMP.” This served as a play on their 2007 album, Icky Thump.
Jack White once again objected to the use of ‘Seven Nation Army’ in 2024 and filed a lawsuit
In August 2024, a Trump campaign aide shared a video featuring “Seven Nation Army” as background music. Jack White reacted strongly on social media. He wrote, “Don’t even think about using my music you fascists,” and threatened legal action if his work continued to be used without permission.
Jack and Meg White filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Trump campaign members later in 2024. “This machine sues fascists,” Jack posted to social media following the lawsuit filing in September, according to The Hill. However, by November 2024, an attorney for Jack and Meg asked the Southern District of New York to dismiss the claims without prejudice. This meant they could refile if they chose to.
“Trump won the popular vote. End of story,” Jack posted to Instagram in November 2024. “Americans chose a known, obvious fascist and now America will get whatever this wannabe dictator wants to enact from here on in. … It’s absolutely dumbfounding that this con man succeeded in pulling the wool over so many Americans’ eyes not once, but twice.”
The rocker mocked the aesthetics of the Oval Office in August 2025
In August 2025, Jack White made it known that he disapproved of Donald Trump’s Oval Office decorations. According to Pitchfork, he said it now looks like “a vulgar, gold-leafed and gaudy, professional wrestler’s dressing room.”
In response, Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, called Jack a “washed-up, has-been loser posting drivel on social media because he clearly has ample time on his hands due to his stalled career,” while speaking to The Daily Beast.
“It’s apparent he’s been masquerading as a real artist, because he fails to appreciate, and quite frankly disrespects, the splendor and significance of the Oval Office inside of ‘The People’s House,'” Cheung continued.
In response, Jack used Cheung’s words against Trump. He stated that the president was “masquerading as a human being” and “masquerading as a Christian, as a leader, as a person with actual empathy.”
Jack White ridiculed Donald Trump’s speech from the president’s anniversary press conference
In January 2026, Jack White mocked Donald Trump’s anniversary press conference. During the conference, Trump reportedly read from a “book on accomplishments.” The book held alleged achievements made by his team in the first year of his second term as president.
“Me do accomplishments! Trump smart. Good boy deserve Nobel Peace Prize,” White captioned his Instagram post, which used a photo of Trump holding the book. “Dementia? What is? NO! Trump smart, pass brain test, name giraffe. Me President of Venezuela and Canada. Me want Greenland too for fun….”
In another comment, Jack clarified that he wouldn’t be silenced.
“Anyone who comments ‘stick to music’ or words to that effect gets blocked,” he wrote. “Anyone who likes said comment gets blocked too. I leave a couple up so everyone knows why they were blocked. This is my house, not town square. Ted Nugent and Kid Rock I’m sure are looking for more MAGA supporters so I suggest you head over to their houses. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
