As we covered earlier this week, Saturday’s No Kings protests saw seven million patriotic citizens turn out peacefully, united by a shared vision of what our country is supposed to be. So Trump did the only thing he could think of: sh-t on the parade. Artificial unintelligently, that is. Saturday evening Dementia Don posted a fake AI video with “King Trump” as a fighter jet pilot wearing a crown (and an oxygen mask that covered neither his nose nor mouth), while Kenny Loggins singing “Danger Zone” from Top Gun plays in the background. The jet flies over NYC — his hometown where more than 100,000 people showed up to march — and then Trump dumps what looks like sh-t over Times Square. Out of all the many (many!) things wrong with this coming from a president, I’m currently fixated on the tactic of rebutting against being called a king… by depicting yourself as a king. This man is so dumb. Well, funny story: Kenny Loggins didn’t give permission to use his song and he wants Trump to cease and desist effective immediately.
In the fake video, a crown-wearing Trump is in a fighter jet emblazoned “KING TRUMP.” Accompanied by Loggins singing “Danger Zone” — a hit single from the 1986 movie Top Gun — the plane dumps sludgy brown material over crowds of protesters carrying American flags and signs in what appears to be New York City’s Times Square.
The video was published as an apparent reply to the widespread No Kings protests that took place across the U.S. on Saturday. (On Saturday evening, the official White House account posted a fake image on X of Trump and Vice President Vance wearing crowns, juxtaposed with a fake image of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in sombreros.)
In a statement sent to NPR on Monday morning, Loggins wrote: “This is an unauthorized 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.” (“Danger Zone” was written by Top Gun’s score composer, Giorgio Moroder, and songwriter Tom Whitlock, with Loggins as the performer.)
Loggins 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.”
There is a long history of musicians objecting to the current president (among other political leaders) using their work to send political messages. However, such use is generally legal, as long as rights holders are paid correctly; the only use that performers and songwriters can specifically prohibit is the use of songs in campaign advertisements. Even so, many artists choose to make such objections public so that a general audience is aware of their stance.
NPR reached out to the White House for a response to Loggins’ specific objections and his request that his performance be removed.
In reply, White House spokesperson Davis R. Ingle did not respond to NPR’s questions but sent NPR an image from the film Top Gun of stars Tom Cruise and the late Val Kilmer, captioned: “I FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED.”
Welcome, Kenny — you now join the pantheon of the world’s greatest musicians and pop stars who have publicly denounced Trump for using their work A) at all, and B) without consent, which C) would never have been given in the first place. Though it’s happened before and undoubtedly will again, it’s important that each artist speaks out at every instance of misuse. And in that vein, and given how closely tied to Top Gun “Danger Zone” is, I challenge Tom Cruise to make a statement similar to Kenny’s. An unequivocal message that none of his life’s work is to be used callously for hate and division. Come on, Tom, meet Kenny half way! (Tom won’t do it; he’ll be too afraid of drawing this administration’s Eye of Sauron towards Scientology.) Thanks, Kenny, for affirming which values you stand for. And again, you’re in good company.
Lastly, I know this is far (far!) from the worst thing coming out of this government, but I am disturbed by their propensity to respond to written press inquiries… with GIFs and memes. They’re making the case for why the Department of Education should be expanded, not dismantled.
— Patsy “Resistance Kitty” Evans Ph.D. (@drharmony.net) October 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Photos credit: Jeffrey Mayer/Avalon, Jerry Perez/Avalon and via Instagram/Kenny Loggins
He’s in the danger zone with his face. Yikes!!
Would never have recognized him. Yikes indeed!
Delusional AF.
This world has seen crazy psychopathic dictactors, but this level of delusion ?
America do something please.
For me it’s also the childish responses. This is who’s running our country???
The clown car circus is running the show. So embarassing for our country, but the rest of the world knows exactly who and what these sleaze bags are. Ughhhhh.
Weird how Republican politicians never use songs from any MAGA country/rock stars in their ads or during campaign events and instead poach songs from artists who are very vocal Democrats.
I think Kenny looks good. He’ll probably need an injunction–Trump is that kind of guy. And he’s also the type of guy to ignore the injunction and keep pushing on. Worst president in American history–and maybe the longest in office (if he refuses to leave) and his piece of shit party does nothing about it or applauds.
Not really good at all