Photo credits: Ariana Grande / Instagram
Pop superstar Ariana Grande has publicly criticised the Trump administration after the White House used her 2024 song ‘Bye’ in a social media video promoting immigration enforcement operations carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The video, which featured footage of immigrants being detained and handcuffed, was posted alongside messaging praising President Donald Trump’s border policies.
Grande responded on social media, calling the use of her music in connection with what she described as “barbaric, inhumane” actions unacceptable, prompting the removal of the song from the post.
The incident is the latest in a growing series of disputes between artists and the Trump administration over the use of copyrighted music in political and government messaging. Critics have accused the White House of using popular songs to amplify social media engagement around contentious issues such as immigration enforcement, while artists have argued that their work is being associated with causes they do not support.
Several high-profile artists have voiced similar objections in recent months. In December, Sabrina Carpenter condemned a White House video that used her hit song ‘Juno’ alongside footage of ICE arrests, describing the clip as “evil and disgusting” and urging officials not to use her music to promote what she called an “inhumane agenda.” Earlier this year, Kesha also criticised the administration after her song ‘Blow’ was featured in a military-themed White House video, calling the post “disgusting and inhumane” and accusing officials of trivialising violence.
