In brief
Pop singer Ariana Grande demanded the White House cease using her 2024 hit “Bye” in a TikTok reel that touted U.S. immigration enforcement. The clip featured border agents handcuffing and detaining people, and the singer blasted the video as “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.” After her comment, the audio was muted and her statement removed, sparking outrage among followers. The White House defended the policy, citing a $70 billion bill signed by former President Trump to fund immigration agencies. Grande joins other artists—Sabrina Carpenter, ABBA, Céline Dion and Beyoncé—who have challenged the use of their music in political contexts.
Pop singer Ariana Grande has asked the White House to stop using her songs after a TikTok reel surfaced that paired her 2024 hit “Bye” with footage of U.S. immigration enforcement.
The clip, which showcased border agents handcuffing people and moving them into detention centres, was captioned “Bye‑bye… President Trump has delivered the most secure border in history.” Grande’s followers saw the post, and the artist immediately criticized the use as “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.”
After her comment, the video was muted and the audio removed, though the clip remained on the platform; several users voiced concern that Grande’s message had been erased.
The White House spokesperson later said that what is truly “barbaric” were the “criminal illegal aliens” that prosecutors say have harmed Americans, while justifying the broader policy and the $70 billion bill signed by former President Trump that funds immigration agencies.
Grande joins singers like Sabrina Carpenter, ABBA, Céline Dion and Beyoncé who have sued or demanded that Trump’s camp not use their music to showcase their immigration agenda.
