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Boards of Canada say White House used music without permission

News imageEPA A view of the White House building from outside. An American flag flies in front of it, while the sun is setting.EPA
The White House's social media account used the Boards of Canada song Deep Time

Electronica act Boards of Canada have said use of their music in a social media video posted by the White House was unauthorised.

The duo's track Deep Time was used to accompany a clip showing dramatic shots of the American flag flying, helicopters arriving on the lawn of the White House and a Border Patrol boat travelling across water.

In a statement the band and their label Warp Records said they do not condone their music being used for political messaging.

A number of music acts, including Bruce Springsteen, Adele and the Rolling Stones, have previously expressed frustration with US President Donald Trump and his administration using music without permission.

In a statement Boards of Canada said: "Warp Records and Boards of Canada do not condone the unauthorised use of their music for political messaging."

A number of fans of the band left furious comments underneath the video, with one stating: "DO NOT disrespect Boards of Canada by using their music in your propaganda."

Another described the video - which featured grainy images, as if shot on an old videotape - as "zoomer edit fake patriot slop."

BBC Scotland News asked the White House for a comment.

Boards of Canada consist of brothers Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin, and have been active since the mid 1980s.

Their newest record Inferno was released this week, marking the group's first studio album in 13 years.

The siblings grew up in Cullen, Moray, and came to fame during the 90s,and are known to be reclusive, rarely giving interviews.

In 2024 the estate of Sinéad O'Connor asked Donald Trump to stop using her music at his political rallies, after the late singer's hit Nothing Compares 2 U was played at campaign rallies as Trump ran for the presidency.

The same year saw a US judge order Trump's campaign to stop using the song Hold On, I'm Coming at rallies, in response to a lawsuit from the family of the song's co-writer, Isaac Hayes.

Other acts to raise concerns include Pharrell Williams, Rihanna and the family of Luciano Pavarotti.