Kenny Loggins shuts down Donald Trump’s use of ‘Danger Zone’ in controversial AI ‘dumping’ video: “Too many people are trying to divide us”

Kenny Loggins has hit out at Donald Trump for using his song ‘Danger Zone’ in a controversial video regarding US protests.

• READ MORE: Soundtrack Of My Life: Kenny Loggins
  

The classic ‘80s song was heard playing in a video shared by the US president on his Truth Social account over the weekend. In the clip, a version of Trump made using artificial intelligence was seen wearing a crown and flying in a jet labelled ‘King Trump’. While in the jet, he is seen dumping sludge onto a crowd of people protesting in the streets.

Now, Loggins has criticised the president for using the song without asking for permission, and expressed his frustration at being tied into an online post that is made with the “purpose of dividing us”.

On his website, a statement was shared yesterday (October 20), containing an update from his team and an official statement from the singer himself.

“Late Saturday, Oct. 18, President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated video on his Truth Social account that portrayed him dumping brown sludge on a crowd of protesters while wearing a crown and flying overhead in a jet labelled ‘King Trump’,” the post began.

Kenny Loggins slams Donald Trump for using ‘Danger Zone’ in an AI video where Trump drops poop on No Kings protesters

“This is an unauthorized use of my performance. Nobody asked me for my permission, which I would have denied, and I request that my recording on this video is… pic.twitter.com/AJQWN7hz3j

— Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) October 20, 2025

“The music accompanying the video clip was Kenny Loggins’ hit recording ‘Danger Zone’, from the 1986 motion picture Top Gun (it was also used in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick). In response, Kenny Loggins has issued the following statement.”

Loggins’ official quote read: “This is an unauthorised use of my performance of ‘Danger Zone.’ Nobody asked me for my permission, which I would have denied, and I request that my recording on this video is removed immediately.”

He continued: “I can’t imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us. 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. There is no ‘us and them’ – that’s not who we are, nor is it what we should be. It’s all of us. We’re in this together, and it is my hope that we can embrace music as a way of celebrating and uniting each and every one of us.”

The statement has received a mixed response online, with some backing the singer up in calling out the US president, while others are more critical and highlight how he appears to have already sold the rights to the song.

“Sorry Kenny Loggins but you sold the rights to your song so you don’t get to tell anyone to remove it,” one person argued on X/Twitter, while someone else added: “It’s called ‘Fair Use’. Don’t release your music if you don’t want it used. He should be flattered.”

I mean.. tough? It’s called “Fair Use”.

Don’t release your music if you don’t want it used. He should be flattered.

— Bacon Overlord (@OGBaconOverlord) October 20, 2025

Others disagreed and showed support with the artist. “Mr. Loggins, please (Sue) Trump for everything he still has. Trump thinks he can do anything he wants, & he thinks he can get away with it,” one wrote.

“Well WE the People need to show him he can’t do what he wants… IMPEACH NOW.”

“Kenny Loggins is one of my favorite yacht rock artists. Definitely standing with him,” added someone else, while a third wrote: “idk who kenny loggins is but im about to stream him all day.”

Mr. Loggins, please (Sue) Trump for everything he still has. Trump thinks he can do anything he wants, & he thinks he can get away with it. Well WE the People need to show him he can’t do what he wants……. IMPEACHNOW.

— @Monica Fuentes15 (Mrs.) NO DM’s (@MonicaPantoja15) October 20, 2025

Kenny Loggins is one of my favorite yacht rock artists. Definitely standing with him.

— Mary Burrell (@MaryBur71233913) October 20, 2025

idk who kenny loggins is but im about to stream him all day

— SHANNASTAN (@MishaDee9) October 20, 2025

The protests Trump seems to make a nod towards with the AI video are the ‘No Kings’ protests that took place over the weekend. Huge crowds gathered across New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and more over the weekend in opposition to Donald Trump’s policies, and among those showing their backing were Pedro Pascal – who was spotted in the crowds – and Robert De Niro, who helped mobilise participation and urged Americans to “keep fighting” against the president.

Kenny Loggins is far from the first name to criticise Trump for using music without permission too. In August last year, Jack White warned the Trump presidential campaign not to use his music after a clip of The White Stripes’ music appeared in a video.

The White Stripes’ hit ‘Seven Nation Army’ was used in the clip of Trump travelling on the campaign trail, and White threatened legal action.

Around that same time, ABBA also demanded Trump stop using their music, after he played hits like ‘Money, Money, Money’, ‘The Winner Takes It All’ and ‘Dancing Queen’ during his rally event in St Cloud, Minnesota.

Beyoncé reportedly threatened the former president with legal action for using her song ‘Freedom’ in a social media video. That same song was then used – with permission – by Kamala Harris as the official anthem of her presidential campaign last year.

Other instances include the estate of Isaac Hayes threatening to sue for Trump’s use of ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’, Celine Dion saying she did not endorse his use of ‘My Heart Will Go On’, and Johnny Marr “shutting down” his use of The Smiths’ ‘Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want’.

Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, Queen and The Animals have all made similar objections in the past.

The post Kenny Loggins shuts down Donald Trump’s use of ‘Danger Zone’ in controversial AI ‘dumping’ video: “Too many people are trying to divide us” appeared first on NME.