The administration of Donald Trump has sparked widespread controversy after sharing an edited version of Drake’s new Iceman album cover on social media. The move has been met with immediate backlash from fans and critics alike.
The Canadian rap icon recently surprised his fanbase by dropping three full-length albums—Habibti, Maid of Honour, and Iceman—the latter of which features 18 tracks, including titles such as 'Make Them Cry' and 'Whisper My Name'.
On the same day the music was released, the official White House social media account posted a modified version of the Iceman artwork. While the original cover depicts a hand wearing a Michael Jackson-style jewelled glove, the government's version replaced the accessory with a chain necklace featuring a prominent “MAGA” pendant. The post was captioned simply: “ICED OUT”.
The reaction on X (formerly Twitter) was swift and largely negative. One user lamented the administration's focus, stating: “Government officials partaking in rap/pop culture stuff instead of making this country better.” Another commenter added: “While families can’t afford groceries or rent... you’re memeing rap album covers like a 14yo edgelord on TikTok. Priorities are iced out for sure. Delete this and govern.”
As of now, Drake has not issued a response regarding the use of his intellectual property by the White House.
This incident is the latest in a long history of friction between the Trump administration and the music industry. Throughout his political career, Donald Trump has frequently faced legal threats and public rebukes from artists—including The Rolling Stones, Adele, Neil Young, and Steven Tyler—for using their music at campaign rallies without authorization. Despite these objections, the administration has often continued to utilize such tracks, even incorporating them into official events like the 2017 inauguration.
The intersection of politics and pop culture continues to be a contentious space, with this latest meme serving as a reminder of the ongoing tension between high-profile artists and political figures.