The Division of Protection is outwardly no match for the notoriously litigious Metallica. A social media video selling the division’s drone capabilities — set to the band’s basic monitor “Enter Sandman”— was shortly pulled after X (previously Twitter) obtained a copyright discover from Metallica. The DoD subsequently uploaded a brand new model sans “Enter Sandman.”
“This afternoon, representatives from X reached out to DoD relating to a video posted to our social media web page and requested that the video be eliminated resulting from a copyright situation with the tune ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica. The video has been taken down, corrected, and re-uploaded to our web page,” a Pentagon spokesman stated in an announcement on Friday.
A consultant for Metallica confirmed to Rolling Stone that the usage of “Enter Sandman” was unauthorized.
Donald Trump has an extended historical past of enjoying artists’ music at rallies and occasions with out their express permission. Nonetheless, he’s largely averted authorized penalties as a result of both his marketing campaign or the venues internet hosting his occasions sometimes maintain public efficiency licenses from rights organizations like ASCAP and BMI. These licenses enable for the usage of many copyrighted songs in dwell settings, however they don’t lengthen to authorities entities just like the Division of Protection, nor do they cowl on-line use—equivalent to posting movies with copyrighted music on social media—which requires separate synchronization or mechanical licenses.
Unleashing U.S. Navy Drone Dominance @DOGE pic.twitter.com/esaQtswwDb
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— Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) July 11, 2025
