The official White House social media accounts have removed an end-of-year “hype reel” featuring the Linkin Park hit “Somewhere I Belong” after an intense wave of criticism from fans and a direct response from the band’s camp.
The video, which appeared on January 1, 2026, was quickly met with a “not on our watch” attitude from the Linkin Park community. Fans pointed to the band’s long-standing history of distancing themselves from political endorsements, specifically regarding the current administration.
Management Steps In
The removal follows a brief but viral interaction involving Adam Ruehmer, a longtime marketer and associate for Linkin Park. Ruehmer chimed into a social media thread to address the unauthorized usage, though his comment has since been deleted.
“Please stop engaging with that video. We are aware and taking action.“
By discouraging fans from engaging with the clip, Ruehmer signaled that the band was opting for a “starve the beast” strategy to avoid giving the post further algorithmic momentum while their legal team handled the matter.
The “Rage-Bait” Trend
The use of “Somewhere I Belong” appears to be part of a broader trend of official government accounts using popular music to soundtrack controversial messaging. Linkin Park joins a growing list of artists—including Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, and Olivia Rodrigo—who have seen their music featured in official reels without permission in recent months.
In many of these cases, the White House has allegedly used these tracks to provoke responses from outspoken artists, a tactic some officials have reportedly referred to as “rage-baiting” for free promotion. However, for Linkin Park, the issue remains deeply tied to the legacy of the late Chester Bennington, who was famously vocal about his refusal to allow the band’s music to be used as a political tool.
A Proven Legal Precedent
This is not the first victory for the band’s legal representatives:
- 2020: The band successfully removed a high-profile campaign video featuring a cover of ‘In the End’ via a copyright takedown notice.
- Current Status: As of January 2, 2026, the White House post featuring “Somewhere I Belong” has been completely scrubbed from official platforms.
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yo mike remember how you asked me two follow my dreams I have dreams of being up next two mike 2 follow my dreams please
Drew Shelton your dream should be taking English classes.
Why
I used 2 persevere please
Removing all Lincoln park
Steve Acosta linkin*
Steve Acosta lmfao you never listened to them.
Steve Acosta You can’t even spell their name so you were not even a fan anyways. They deserve to get paid when their music is used or at the least get their permission.
Steve Acosta surprised you didn’t do it when they cease and desist to him in 2020 or when they released music that definitely critiques the Bush administration that can also be applied to this current one.
Oh that’s right. You probably never listen to them ever you’re just on the ” anti-woke,” rhetoric
Steve Acosta the guy living for his daughter’s supports fcking pedophiles. I think a DFS call is on order to see what he’s doing to them
Steve Acosta and?? They’re too good for you anyway.. fkn pedo lover.
Steve Acosta you’re real late to the party kiddo. They’ve always been anti dumpMedia: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10232802862600578&set=p.10232802862600578&type=3
Steve Acosta cool story bro. They’re replay gonna miss you…
Steve Acosta Since you can’t spell Linkin, you never were a fan, magat.
MAGA be like Vanilla Ice CubeMedia: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=24884373617904111&set=p.24884373617904111&type=3
They gave Trump a cease and decist because they’re not sellouts.
Tommy Spears they’re sellouts regardless
You’re a fucking moron.
Joshua Alverson the ones that are going to Mar-a-Lago to perform, those the real sellouts. Obviously you’re not a fan of the music and we can tell.
That’s not linkin park
Kenny Ward then what band is in that photo at the top?
Diane Sarah some clowns pretending to be linkin park, band died when Chester did
Kenny Ward you make no sense the photo at the top is the band when Chester was in it. You people are so stuck I . It not Linkin Park anymore. That you say it isn’t Linkin Park even when it’s a photo with Chester. Even Chester said the band would be nothing without Mike
Diane Sarah I can’t read stupid so just stop talking I know what I mean if you don’t that’s on you simpleton
Kenny Ward they still have their original vocalist…like even before Chester
Kenny Ward if you are referring to the photo, that most definitely is the ORIGINAL lineup of Linkin Park.
Kris Edmonds I know that’s linkin park im talking about the shit show they are calling linkin park now
Kenny Ward yes that is definitely different. Not a fan of it either.
Kris Edmonds how is that different? 🙄🤦🏼♂️😂😂
Chris Kirk we are speaking of the lineup of Linkin Park, which is definitely different now! Oy vey…🤦♀️
Chris Kirk see there is a difference!! 😆😆😆Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10229055902837504&set=p.10229055902837504&type=3
Kris Edmonds thats the new line up 🙄🤦🏼♂️😂😂
Kris Edmonds i think you have classic and original mixed. Chester wasnt an original member of the band.
Kris Edmonds If you’re complaining about Linkin Park being different than before then where the fuck have you been since 2007, LP have always been different. Talking to you is like dealing with the dipshits who gave Chester more of a reason to leave.
Geo Clah not complaining about it all, dipshit. Read the room.
talking to you is like talking to a wall. Have a great day and blessed be!Media: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10229055963439019&set=p.10229055963439019&type=3
Kenny WardThat’s an old photo of Linkin Park with Chester. The Linkin Park we have now is being lead by a rapist supporter and her soy boy Shinoda.
Kenny Ward <— this is not a real fan
Kenny Ward it’s hilarious that you think Chester would be okay with the white house using his song lol
Kenny Ward incel
Kenny Ward no that’s Linkin Park before tone deaf scientology Armstrong ruined it
Who cares
Rocco Assi you apparently since you reacted
Rocco Assi you.. cuz here you are!!!!
Good on them! This administration thinks they’re in a movie. They’re nothing but a bunch of horrible, twatwaffles.
They aren’t even a band anymore. lol
Who reads this shit??
Cowards
Well they’re whiny liberal t**** so yeah
John M Supulver why did you sensor yourself lol
All these LP fans that love Emily still don’t realize yet that they love a rapist supporter. Putting Trump allegations aside, I cant wrap my head around the fact that she’s still respected after all this time after she admitted to supporting Masterson. And people still love her because she can “sing.” Sure let’s sweep it under the rug because she’s in Linkin Park. Y’all are just as bad as the monster that raped those women.
Who’s gives a shit there a cover band anymore anyway
How about we just remove the white house altogether?? That’ll solve most problems.
Jesse Uttilie snowflakes apparently in the forecast.
The rat left’s politics everything campaign worked. The music is so bland and repetitive that the whole industry has to attract the rats using political marketing techniques
Lev Lemanowicz yeah, this is what sells out stadiums… oh wait they were doing that long before this
Matt Terrell you’re a participant with the transitioning profile pic, it’s expected from you.
Lev Lemanowicz you gotta creep on profiles because linkin park hurt your feelings?
Matt Terrell I wanted to see what a new LP stadium fan looked like
Lev Lemanowicz new, funny. So Fred durst, you plan on addressing them selling out stadiums and being multiplatinum or….?
Matt Terrell You walk around with a souvenir bag too huh?
Lev Lemanowicz didn’t think you could
Media: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia1.tenor.co%2Fm%2Fn-HR8RFneYIAAAAC%2Fbill-hader-eating-popcorn.gif&h=AT2Dthc9oAsJftWfZN3N52JZYb2jyPQJTlw65pneOnaqKJktMFcS0r0bj9NvGSvOTafCUKfJsjsoQh2_cjdgrY28DIqe_HD2UJ4u73u2Q_27INcsbhUsSk3zf3gnkhSW&s=1
Fans need to stop thinking it was them and not the band as it was clearly them who did this!!!
Nobody cares… just FYI… don’t be a whiny bitch Linkin Park… you haven’t had good music in years…. just following trends.
Notice how they used an old picture, with Chester, since the new “Linkin Park” holds no weight?
Or possibly the reason was because the song was sung by Chester. Unless they used a live version. Move on…
Colton Pasto I think the one that holds no weight is you, Chester would’ve hated this administration.
Fan backlash? No. Band sued them for unauthorised use of their music. Stop twisting reality and lying people.
Only thing I have to say is it’s their intellectual property and are free to allow or not allow people to use it. I wouldn’t want anyone using my art for someone running for president democrat, republican, or independent. That’s mine and I will decide who can and can’t use it.
Meteora era.
There’s nothing wrong trump with Trump using that song, if it was anyone else that used it, they wouldn’t care but since it’s Trump, automatic issue. Weak minded libtards
Real LINKIN PARK fans that have been around since the beginning know that Chester would’ve hated this administration and everything that they’re doing. I’m glad they were able to get the cease and desist.