Ariana Grande's music has become an unlikely battleground in the US immigration debate, with the White House sparking outrage by using her hit song 'Bye' as a soundtrack for a social media video promoting its immigration policies. The viral TikTok reel, shared on Monday, shows border agents placing people in handcuffs, leaving fans and human rights groups alike questioning the White House's judgment.
Grande was swift to condemn the use of her music, commenting on the post: 'Please do not use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.' However, the White House responded by muting the video and removing Grande's comment, sparking accusations that it is trying to silence dissent.
This is not an isolated incident – several artists have spoken out against Trump's team using their music without permission. Sabrina Carpenter was among them last year, writing a scathing message after a White House clip used part of her song 'Juno' in a compilation showing ICE operations. ABBA, Céline Dion and Beyoncé are also among those who have insisted that Trump's campaign not use their music during his re-election bid.
The controversy comes as President Trump signed a bill into law approving more than $70bn (£52bn) in funding for immigration agencies for the remaining two-and-a-half years of his presidential term. Critics argue that this will only lead to further suffering and injustice for migrants, with human rights groups condemning the move as 'devastating'.
Despite the backlash, the White House has defended its use of Grande's music, stating that it was used without her knowledge or permission but did not infringe on her copyright. However, the incident highlights the increasingly blurred lines between politics and popular culture in the US, with artists speaking out against their work being co-opted for ideological purposes.
The White House has since removed Grande's comment from the post, leaving fans to continue debating the appropriateness of using music as a form of endorsement or critique. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Ariana Grande's music has become an unlikely symbol in the fight against Trump's immigration policies.