American singer Ariana Grande has demanded that the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration refrain from using her music to endorse its policies. This request came after the White House shared a TikTok video showcasing its immigration policy earlier this week. The video, depicting federal agents apprehending individuals, featured Grande’s 2024 song “Bye.”
Expressing her disapproval, Grande commented on the White House’s TikTok video, urging them to cease associating her music with what she described as “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.” Responding to Grande, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s stance, stating that the real barbarity lies in the actions of 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. This is not the first instance where an artist’s music has been utilized by the Trump administration without proper authorization.
Grande, known for her music and being an Academy Award-nominated actress, had previously criticized the administration on Instagram, questioning whether the lives of those who voted for Trump had improved since his return to office.
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 their music being used and some have taken legal action to prevent it. Trump, currently serving his second non-consecutive term, frequently shares short videos on social media featuring popular songs to highlight his administration’s endeavors in fulfilling campaign promises, such as immigration enforcement and military actions abroad.
