Full Breakdown
White House Video Uses Boards of Canada Track Without Permission, Prompting Artist Condemnation
5/28/2026, 8:51:47 PM
Unauthorized Promotional Video Sparks Outcry
On May 28, the Trump administration posted a 15-second promotional clip to X that paired dramatic military footage with Boards of Canada’s track “Deep Time,” taken from the duo’s forthcoming album *Inferno*. The video, styled with a staticky, VHS-like aesthetic, was released without any documented permission from the artists or their label.
Background & Context
Boards of Canada, a reclusive Scottish duo, are known for a VHS-style aesthetic. “Deep Time” originally appeared on the pre-release tape “Tape 05,” part of the promotional rollout for *Inferno*, their first album in 13 years, slated for release on May 29. The White House’s clip adopted the same VHS-inspired look that the duo used for earlier tracks such as “Introit” and “Prophecy at 1420 MHz.”
Key Figures & Groups
- President Donald Trump and the White House communications team, responsible for the video’s production.
- Boards of Canada and their label Warp Records, the owners of the music and visual style.
- Users of X (formerly Twitter) who reacted to the post.
- Artists who have previously sued the Trump administration for unauthorized music use, including The White Stripes, Isaac Hayes, Eddy Grant, Rihanna, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, ABBA, Pharrell Williams and Queen.
Official Statements & Responses
Warp Records issued a brief statement to the White House asserting that neither the label nor Boards of Canada “condone the unauthorised use of their music for political messaging.” The statement was sent directly to the administration, echoing prior cease-and-desist actions taken by other musicians against the Trump campaign.
Criticism & Opposition
Fans on X condemned the video as “authoritarian fascist bullshit” and “zoomer edit fake patriot slop,” and one user likened the post to “movie trailers for World War III like he’s running a Michael Bay fan account.” Commentators questioned the legality of the clip, noting that the lack of permission could expose the administration to copyright infringement claims, a risk highlighted by earlier lawsuits against the campaign.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Warp Records and Boards of Canada do not condone the unauthorised use of their music for political messaging.” — Warp Records statement
- “authoritarian fascist bullshit” — X user
- “zoomer edit fake patriot slop.” — X user
- “posting movie trailers for World War III like he's running a Michael Bay fan account.” — X user
- “Warp Records and Boards of Canada do not condone the unauthorised use of their music for political messaging.” — Statement sent to Warp Records
Why It Matters / Impact
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between political campaigns and intellectual-property rights, highlighting how unauthorized music use can provoke public backlash and potential legal challenges.
What’s Next
*Inferno* launches on May 29, accompanied by global listening events, while the White House’s use of the track remains under scrutiny for possible copyright repercussions.
