American pop sensation Ariana Grande has urged the Trump administration to refrain from using her music to endorse its policies. This request came after a video was shared on TikTok by the White House, showcasing its immigration stance with scenes of federal agents apprehending individuals, set to Grande’s award-winning track “Bye” from 2024.
Expressing her disapproval, Grande posted a comment on the White House video, condemning the association of her music with what she described as “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.” In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the video, stating that the real cruelty lies with criminal illegal aliens who have harmed innocent American citizens.
A source close to Grande revealed that her team is actively working to remove her music from the video promptly. Last year, the singer and acclaimed actress criticized the administration on social media, questioning the impact of Trump’s policies on the lives of his supporters.
This incident is not the first instance of an artist’s music being used without authorization by the Trump administration. Various artists, including Neil Young, John Fogerty, Phil Collins, Panic! At The Disco, and estates of Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty, and Prince, have objected to this practice and some have taken legal action to prevent it.
President Trump, currently serving his second non-consecutive term, frequently utilizes popular songs in short social media videos to underscore his administration’s initiatives, such as immigration enforcement and military actions. Despite ongoing objections from artists, the use of their music in these contexts continues.