Sebastian Gorka had his YouTube channel yanked for “multiple” claims of copyright infringement when he would not stop using an Imagine Dragons song on his radio show.
The former Trump White House adviser had his “America First” channel and all of its content removed by YouTube Monday in what was apparently a response by the video-sharing platform over his alleged repeated use of the Imagine Dragons song “Radioactive” without permission.
“This account has been terminated because we received multiple third-party claims of copyright infringement regarding material the user posted,” read a message on YouTube.
Seb Gorka getting his YouTube account deleted because he refused to stop using an @Imaginedragons for his intro—despite them repeatedly telling him to stop—is some peak boomer shit. pic.twitter.com/SMAwf6te0a
— jordan (@JordanUhl) November 4, 2019
Gorka, a former deputy assistant to President Trump in 2017, was reportedly asked to stop using the song several times by the band’s lead vocalist Dan Reynolds and Universal Music Group.
“I’ve never given permission for this use. Please stop playing imagine dragons on your show,” Reynolds told Gorka in August.
thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’ve never given permission for this use. Please stop playing imagine dragons on your show @SebGorka
— Dan Reynolds (@DanReynolds) August 24, 2019
“Losing my mind on this,” he tweeted in October after being alerted to the song’s continued use on Gorka’s radio show which had episodes uploaded to YouTube.
He also noted that Universal Music Group had flagged 42 videos with the song and, though they were being blocked by YouTube, Gorka uploaded more.
From Universal
“Confirming all 42 links are blocked, however, Gorka has uploaded more videos with the song in it. I will continue to monitor the page and submit links to be blocked daily.”losing my mind on this. thanks for keeping on my radar. X
— Dan Reynolds (@DanReynolds) October 25, 2019
Other social media users noted that the song was still being highlighted on Gorka’s show.
still going today….when will big seb learn pic.twitter.com/pbOvkGGBV8
— Brendan Karet ? (@bad_takes) October 25, 2019
Messages about the use of the song had been noted earlier in the year as well.
Heads up, @Imaginedragons: A man named Sebastian Gorka is using “Radioactive” as his intro music for his “America First” radio show promoting the Trump administration. Do you support him?
— Kim Hannel (@KimKHannel) January 22, 2019
One of the weirder tidbits from listening to AM radio all week is learning that Sebastian Gorka opens his show with “Radioactive” by @Imaginedragons. Giving the benefit of the doubt and assuming they’re not cool with this.
— Justin Corffucopia (@JustinCaffier) July 19, 2019
YouTube took action on Monday and the channel appeared to no longer be available on the platform.
Gorka’s channel “was terminated due to multiple copyright strikes,” a YouTube spokesperson confirmed to The Daily Beast on Monday.
“The YouTube spokesperson declined to say what song had prompted the copyright takedown notices. But the complaints were filed by Universal Music Publishing Group—the same company Reynolds had said was attempting to stop Gorka from uploading the song,” the Daily Beast reported.
Gorka appeared to be unaware immediately that his YouTube channel was deleted, mocking a Twitter user who pointed out that the live stream was not available.
You really should try harder.
Try searching for my YouTube channel again.
You and your 13 followers!
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) November 4, 2019
While Gorka had apparently not replied to requests for a comment, he did have recent videos from his radio show uploaded on YouTube under his own account.
Apparently @SebGorka didn’t get the hint and created yet another channel. https://t.co/Pp9zblgYvG
I have no idea if he uses @DanReynolds material because I refuse to listen to “doctor” Gorka longer than it takes me to realize I’m listening to him and force quit my browser.
— Hans (@hellraisin) November 5, 2019
Social media users weighed in on YouTube’s move on Twitter.
I’ll take “headlines i didn’t expect in a million years” for $1,000, Alex https://t.co/gzGMiOubkd
— Al Weaver (@alweaver22) November 5, 2019
Sebastian Gorka’s YouTube channel being taken down for his constant copyright infringement of Imagine Dragons is the perfect example of soulless capitalism.
Use copyrighted material? Ban-Hammer.
Upload hundreds of hours of Islamophobic propaganda? By all means, please continue.
— I Dream Of Azathoth (@IDreamAzathoth) November 5, 2019
Damn, seems overly harsh to ban him over that??
— A.J. Delgado (@AJDelgado13) November 5, 2019
Figured it was something like this. License to use track on AM radio often doesn’t apply to live streams.
— Mike Cernovich (@Cernovich) November 5, 2019
Can we all reflect on how 2019 gave us: “Seb Gorka Deleted Off YouTube For Continuing To Play Imagine Dragons”? And right after he declared war on groypers.
I feel powerful energy emanating on the horizon. 2020 is gonna be great
— Scott Greer (@ScottMGreer) November 5, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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