NEW YORK — Kenny Loggins objects to the use of his music in a social media post showing an artificial intelligence-generated video of President Donald Trump dumping excrement from a fighter jet on last weekend's "No Kings" protests.
The video, posted Saturday night on the Republican president's social media platform, was accompanied by Loggins' song "Danger Zone," which appears on the soundtrack of the blockbuster 1986 Tom Cruise fighter pilot movie "Top Gun." Loggins, in a statement Monday on his website, said he was not asked for permission and called for the video to be removed.
FILE - Kenny Loggins performs at the 2023 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 30, 2023. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
"I can't imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us," Loggins wrote. "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."
People are also reading…
As of Tuesday morning, the video remained online.
Representatives for Loggins responded to The Associated Press' request for additional comment Tuesday by reissuing his statement from the day before. The White House responded to a request for comment with a still from "Top Gun" with the caption "I FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED," paraphrasing one of the film's famous lines.
Numerous other musicians, including Adele and Bruce Springsteen, objected over the past decade to Trump's use of their material at campaign rallies and elsewhere. Trump used music on AI videos at other times, including Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper" on a post in early October about Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought.
Large crowds turned out around the country Saturday for the latest round of "No Kings" rallies, at which participants denounced what they see as the authoritarian policies of the president.
Trump on Sunday dismissed the rallies as a "joke" and told reporters, "I'm no king."
'No Kings' protesters take to the streets
Crowds gather Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, to listen to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during a No Kings protest in Washington.
Crowds gather Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, to listen to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during a No Kings protest in Washington.
Attendees sign a banner representing the U.S. Constitution on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a No Kings protest in Washington.
Demonstrators carry a signed banner representing the U.S. Constitution as they rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, before marching to the National Mall during a No Kings protest in Washington.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a No Kings protest in Washington.
Demonstrators carry signs Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, as they march to the National Mall during a No Kings protest in Washington.
Demonstrators carry signs during a No Kings protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington.
Demonstrators carry signs during a No Kings protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington.
Demonstrators carry signs during a No Kings protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington.
Demonstrators carry signs during a No Kings protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington.
People participate in a "No Kings" rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala.
Matt Ezell participates in a "No Kings" rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala.
A demonstrator participates in a "No Kings" rally Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala.
A demonstrator holds a sign Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during an anti-Trump protest in Madrid, Spain.
People take part in a pro-democracy 'No Kings' protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Malmö, Sweden.
A woman shows a poster as she participates in a pro-democracy, anti-Trump protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Embassy at the Pariser Platz square in Berlin.
People display U.S. flag and a "No Kings" sign as they participate in a pro-democracy, anti-Trump protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Embassy at the Pariser Platz square in Berlin.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker arrives Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a "No Kings" protest in Chicago.
A demonstrators carries a sign stating "RULE of LAW" on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a No Kings protest in Washington.
People walk along the street Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during the "No Kings" protest in Houston.
A rallygoer plays guitar Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a rally and march through the streets in Denver.
A U.S. Park Police officer oversees a No Kings protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Washington.
A protester wears a blow-up mushroom costume Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a "No Kings" protest in New York.
Protesters holding an upside-down U.S. flag shout slogans from scaffolding Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a "No Kings" protest in New York.
People gather Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a "No Kings" protest in Chicago.
A demonstrator carries a sign saying "DEMocracy not TRUMPocracy" on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, a No Kings protest in Washington.
People march Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a "No Kings" protest in Portland, Ore.
Protesters march Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in the streets near City Hall during a "No Kings" protest in Los Angeles.
People take part in a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Seattle.
A protester carrying an effigy of Donald Trump during a "No Kings" protest Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Demonstrators wearing inflatable bald eagle costumes gather Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, in Kiener Plaza during the "No Kings" protest in St. Louis, with the Gateway Arch in the background.
Demonstrators in costumes hold placards Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, during a protest outside the U.S. Embassy in London.

