Ariana Grande has demanded the White House stop using her music after one of her songs was featured in a social media video promoting immigration arrests.
After discovering her 2024 track Bye had been used in a TikTok montage showing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining and handcuffing people, Grande publicly condemned the post.
‘Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense,’ the Wicked star wrote in a comment on the video.
She later added: ‘F*** ICE.’
The clip had been shared by the White House’s official TikTok account and celebrated President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, pairing footage of arrests with Grande’s chart hit. The song was later removed from the video after the singer objected.
ICE has become a lightning rod for criticism in recent years over its large-scale deportation efforts, workplace raids, and detention practices.
In January, the killings of two American citizens by immigration officers led to fears over the government’s heavy-handed tactics, with protests building nationwide.
While supporters argue the agency plays a vital role in enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security, critics have raised concerns about alleged civil rights violations, racial profiling and conditions inside detention facilities.
According to Grande’s representatives, the comment was genuine, although it was reportedly not visible publicly on the platform. Sources told US outlets her team had been working to have the music removed as quickly as possible.
The White House was quick to respond.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Spokesperson Abigail Jackson hit back at the singer, saying: ‘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.’
The clash is the latest chapter in Grande’s long-running criticism of Trump-era policies.
The pop superstar has repeatedly spoken out on issues including 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.
This is also far from the first time the Trump administration has found itself at odds with musicians over its use of popular songs.
A growing list of artists have objected to their music appearing in White House videos and political content, particularly posts connected to immigration enforcement.
In recent months, performers including Sabrina Carpenter and Jess Glynne have criticised similar uses of their music.
For Grande, however, the issue appears to be less about copyright and more about what the footage represented.
The singer is currently touring in support of her latest music and preparing for the release of new material, but she made it abundantly clear that she does not want her songs serving as the soundtrack to immigration raids.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.