The 10 Biggest Music and Politics Stories of 2025

As with just about every other industry in the world, some of music’s biggest issues in 2025 have revolved around the Trump administration. Artificial intelligence? Upon taking office, Trump revoked an order by President Biden that ensured “safe, secure and trustworthy development” of the technology. Share prices for public companies like Warner Music and Live Nation? Tariffs and a tech boom, all informed by Trump decisions, have heavily influenced the stock market all year. The things artists say on stage during concerts? Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, the Dropkick Murphys and many others suggest Trump is always on their minds.

Some artists, following Springsteen’s example, have spent the year declaring resistance. Some, like Taylor Swift, have tried to ignore him (even though POTUS wrote, surreally, on Truth Social, “Has anyone noticed that, since I said ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,’ she’s no longer ‘HOT?’”). Others, like inauguration headliners Kid Rock and Lee Greenwood, have pledged support. Still others have expressed fear. “How politics are right now, it’s not good for punk rock,” Fat Mike, the NOFX frontman and Fat Wreck Chords co-founder, told Billboard in July. “A lot of bands are scared because of Trump and his followers. They love to hate and take revenge.” 

From immigration to healthcare to the unauthorized use of artists’ songs in disturbingly weird videos — and a few things that have little to do with Trump and his policies — here’s a roundup of some of the biggest stories of 2025 that have come to define the year in music and politics.