JMSN Fires Off Letter Over Use Of Song In Ad Spot Touting Trump

The White House has been hit with a cease-and-desist letter from a musician whose song was featured in a promotional ad featuring Donald Trump that was paid for using tax dollars rather than campaign funds.

An attorney for JMSN, whose real name is Christian Berishaj, fired off a cease-and-desist letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on Monday, objecting to the use of his song “Love Me” in the ad, known as “The Country He Loves.” The ad was one of a series of spots that have run on TV in the past week, with the White House claiming they are public service announcements yet Democrats and even some Republicans contending that they are campaign propaganda.

The letter alleges that the song was used without proper clearances and claims violation of federal copyright law. Norm Eisen of Democracy Defenders Action wrote in the letter that “JMSN does not want to be viewed as directly or indirectly affiliated with the President or his Administration. As he said in his Instagram post denouncing the Advertisement, he ‘would never authorize [his] music to be used for ANY political agenda or campaign.’ Thus, the use of the Song in this context, as part of an overtly partisan, political advertisement, is particularly damaging, as it could cause others to call into question JMSN’s artistic independence and integrity.”

A White House spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment. Yashar Ali first reported on the cease-and-desist letter.

The ads contain messages that they are “paid for by the U.S. government.” Per NBC News, AdImpact estimates that $1.7 million has been spent to run the spots.