Ariana Grande has publicly denounced the White House for using her music in a social media video that promoted immigration arrests. The pop star discovered that her 2024 track 'Bye' had been featured in a TikTok montage showing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining and handcuffing individuals. Grande responded by posting a comment on the video, writing, 'Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.' She later added a more explicit remark: 'F*** ICE.'
White House Responds
The video, shared by the White House's official TikTok account, celebrated President Donald Trump's immigration policies and paired footage of arrests with Grande's chart-topping song. After the singer's objection, the track was removed from the clip. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson fired back, stating, 'We'll say this one last time: what's actually barbaric, inhumane, and heinous are the criminal illegal aliens who have injured and murdered innocent American citizens.'
Ongoing Criticism of ICE
ICE has faced mounting criticism over its large-scale deportation efforts, workplace raids, and detention practices. In January, the killings of two American citizens by immigration officers sparked fears about the government's heavy-handed tactics, leading to nationwide protests. While supporters argue the agency is crucial for enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security, critics highlight alleged civil rights violations, racial profiling, and poor conditions in detention facilities.
According to Grande's representatives, her comment was genuine, though it was reportedly not publicly visible on the platform. Sources told US outlets that her team worked diligently to have the music removed as quickly as possible.
Grande's History of Activism
This incident is the latest in Grande's long-standing criticism of Trump-era policies. The singer has repeatedly spoken out on issues such as immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive healthcare. She endorsed former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election and has previously shared posts condemning immigration raids and the treatment of migrant families.
The Trump administration has frequently clashed with musicians over the use of their songs. A growing list of artists, including Sabrina Carpenter and Jess Glynne, have objected to their music appearing in White House videos and political content, especially those tied to immigration enforcement. For Grande, the issue appears less about copyright and more about the footage's representation. The singer is currently touring in support of her latest music and preparing for new releases, but she made it clear that she does not want her songs to serve as the soundtrack to immigration raids.
