Jack White isn’t necessary known for recording political music, but there has been a few flirtations with writing socially conscious lyrics. For example, “The Big Three Killed My Baby” off of The White Stripes 1999 self titled debut is a protest against the automobile industry. Also during later performances of that tune White modified the lyrics to protest the Iraq War and then US President George W Bush with the line “Bush’s hands are turning red and I found out your baby is dead.”
Another example of a tune by The White Stripes that makes a political statement is “Icky Thumb” off of their 2007 album of the same name. The tune briefly includes lyrics critical of the USA’s immigration policy:
“Well, Americans
What, nothin’ better to do?
Why don’t you kick yourself out?
You’re an immigrant too
What should we do?
Well, you can’t be a pimp
And a prostitute too”
While Jack White was performing at the Governors Ball in New York on June 1, 2018, he directed those lyrics towards President Trump and then changed “Icky Thump” to “Icky Trump”.
This isn’t the first time that Jack White made statements denouncing Trump. Back in 2016 while Trump was still a candidate there was a pro-Trump video which featured The White Stripes tune “Seven Nation Army”. The band posted the following statement about the video: “Regarding the use of “Seven Nation Army” in a Donald Trump campaign video, The White Stripes would like to unequivocally state that they have nothing whatsoever to do with this video. They are disgusted by this association, and by the illegal use of their song.”
Around that same time period, White’s Third Man Record Store started to sell “Icky Trump” T-shirts which features modified lyrics of “Icky Thumb” on the back.