Overview

• The Pentagon’s original video on X showed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signing a memo delivered by a quadcopter while Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” played without authorization.
• X requested removal of the post on July 11 after Metallica issued a copyright notice, prompting the Department of Defense to delete and reupload the video without music by July 12.
• The updated clip retains Hegseth’s endorsement of President Trump’s June executive order to boost U.S. drone manufacturing and deployment.
• Metallica’s action reflects its ongoing efforts to protect its songs from unauthorized government and political use, following past legal challenges and objections to military applications.
• The episode highlights tensions between political messaging on social media, evolving military drone strategy, and intellectual property rights.