Metallica forces Pentagon to remove their song from controversial drone video

In early July 2025, a promotional video released by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was highlighted for its inclusion of Metallica's song 'Enter Sandman.' The video showcased the Trump administration's aspirations for increased military drone operations, signaling a push for what was termed 'American drone dominance.' In the clip, Hegseth discussed fulfilling an executive order from President Donald Trump, which aimed to bolster drone capabilities. The video depicted a drone delivering a signed document to Hegseth while he boldly declared the commitment of the Defense Department to win and not back down. However, issues arose promptly after the video was posted on social media. A representative from Metallica confirmed that the band had not given permission for the use of their music, leading to accusations of copyright infringement. The Pentagon responded swiftly, indicating that they had been contacted about the unauthorized use of the song and had to take down the video to rectify the issue. After the song's removal, the video was corrected and re-uploaded without the music, illustrating the band’s firm stance on protecting their intellectual property. This situation isn’t an isolated incident, as numerous artists have previously contested the use of their works in political contexts without permission. Metallica, while avoiding direct political affiliations, has a history of protecting their music rights, previously engaging in legal battles to maintain control over their work. This copyright action aligns with their past desire to distance themselves from military uses, and the band has expressed reluctance to be associated with acts of violence. In an instance from 2013, they requested that the U.S. military refrain from using their music during interrogations. This incident brings to light broader conversations within artistic communities regarding the use of music at political events. Various artists, including notable names such as Elton John and Taylor Swift, have publicly criticized political figures for using their songs in campaigns without authorization, emphasizing the importance of maintaining artistic control over one's work. As a result of Metallica's action, this instance serves as a reminder of artists' rights and the impact of copyright laws in political and military narratives.