Taylor Swift Accuses President Donald Trump and the White House of Copyright Theft in a $200 Million Lawsuit, Claiming Her Track ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ Was Used Without Permission in a Viral Government TikTok That Ignited Massive Online Backlash

Taylor Swift Sues Donald Trump and the White House for $200 Million Over Unauthorized Use of Her Song ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ in Viral TikTok Post

Washington, D.C. — Global pop icon Taylor Swift has filed a massive $200 million lawsuit against President Donald Trump and the White House, accusing them of copyright infringement and unauthorized use of her song “The Fate of Ophelia” in an official TikTok post that went viral earlier this week.

According to court filings obtained by several media outlets, the lawsuit—filed Monday morning in a federal court in Nashville—alleges that the Trump administration used a portion of Swift’s 2022 hit without permission, license, or attribution in a government-produced TikTok video that has since sparked intense backlash online.

The short video, originally posted from the White House’s verified account, reportedly featured Trump speaking about “resilience and destiny in modern America,” with “The Fate of Ophelia” playing faintly in the background. Swift’s team claims that the use of the track was deliberate and promotional, violating U.S. copyright law and the artist’s moral rights.

“This is a blatant act of artistic theft and misuse of intellectual property by a sitting president and his administration,” Swift’s attorney Kathryn Ellis said in a statement Tuesday. “Taylor Swift’s work is not government property. No one, not even the White House, is above copyright law.”

The video quickly amassed millions of views before it was deleted late Sunday night following online criticism from Swift fans—many of whom called the move “exploitative” and “tone-deaf,” especially given the song’s themes of tragedy, loss, and control.

A Swift Response

Sources close to Swift say the singer was “furious” upon learning that her song was used in what appeared to be a politically charged post, and immediately instructed her legal team to take action. The lawsuit seeks $200 million in damages, including penalties for willful infringement and reputational harm.

“Taylor has always been protective of her art,” a representative for Swift told Variety. “Her music should never be used to promote a political message—especially one she does not endorse.”

White House Denies Wrongdoing

A spokesperson for the White House responded Tuesday, dismissing the lawsuit as “frivolous” and claiming that the song’s inclusion was the result of “an internal production error.”

“The White House respects all artists and their creative rights,” the statement read. “Any inclusion of copyrighted material was unintentional and does not constitute a violation under fair use principles.”

However, Swift’s legal team disputes that defense, arguing that the clip’s length, placement, and context suggest intentional use. The complaint also cites previous instances where Trump’s campaign and affiliated organizations used music from artists such as Adele, Rihanna, and The Rolling Stones without permission.

Public and Industry Reaction

The lawsuit has ignited a wave of conversation across social media, with the hashtags #SwiftVsTrump and #FateOfOphelia trending on X (formerly Twitter). Music industry figures and copyright advocates have largely rallied behind Swift, calling the case a “landmark fight for artistic control in the age of political media.”

Legal analysts suggest that if Swift prevails, the case could set a major precedent for how copyrighted music is used in government and political communications on social media platforms.

“This is bigger than Taylor Swift,” said intellectual property lawyer Dr. Steven Carver. “This is about whether the government can appropriate creative works for political messaging without consent. The outcome could reshape digital copyright enforcement in America.”

Swift’s History of Taking a Stand

Taylor Swift, known for her outspoken advocacy on artists’ rights, has previously clashed with major corporations—including Spotify and Big Machine Records—over ownership and control of her music. This case, however, marks the first time she has taken legal action directly against a sitting U.S. president.

“She’s drawing a clear line,” said entertainment analyst Rachel Keating. “Taylor Swift wants to remind everyone—politicians included—that her art isn’t a prop. It’s her voice.”

As of Tuesday evening, the White House TikTok post remains deleted, and no settlement discussions have been announced. The lawsuit is expected to move forward later this month, with hearings scheduled in Nashville Federal Court.