Ariana Grande has expressed fury at Donald Trump after her 2024 track 'Bye' was used in a promotional video for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The 32-year-old pop star took to TikTok to condemn the president and the agency, which faced backlash earlier this year following a deadly immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
Deadly Incidents Spark Outrage
The ICE video highlighted arrests made by the federal agency, which came under fire after two people were fatally shot by ICE officers within two weeks. Renee Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti lost their lives in separate incidents, intensifying criticism of the agency's tactics.
Ariana's Fierce Response
Reacting to the TikTok video that used her song as background music, the 'We Can't Be Friends' star did not hold back. She commented: 'Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.' Making her stance clear, she added: 'F**k ICE.'
According to Variety, Ariana's team worked to have the song removed from the video, and it appeared to be taken down after her request. However, her comment on TikTok was reportedly not publicly visible, her spokesperson told the outlet.
White House Fires Back
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the administration, repurposing Ariana's words to target undocumented immigrants. She stated: 'What's actually barbaric, inhumane, and heinous are the criminal illegal aliens who have injured and murdered innocent American citizens.'
Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai also mocked the singer, saying: 'Save your tears Ariana, because President Trump's actions ended Joe Biden's inflation crisis and are bringing in trillions in new investment. He even signed an executive order that paved the way for the FTC to crack down on Ticketmaster for ripping off Ariana Grande's concert-going fans. Get well soon, Ariana!'
Ariana's History of Opposition
Ariana has been vocal about her opposition to Trump. Last year, she shared an Instagram Stories post critiquing the second Trump administration after 250 days, questioning whether lives had improved for immigrants, trans people, and free speech.
The singer's public criticism underscores the ongoing tension between the entertainment industry and the Trump administration over immigration policies.
