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Olivia Rodrigo Condemns DHS for Unauthorized Use of Her Music in Deportation Campaign
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo has publicly rebuked the Department of Homeland Security for using her song “All-American Bitch” in a controversial social media video encouraging undocumented immigrants to self-deport from the United States.
“Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda,” Rodrigo commented on the Instagram post shared by DHS in collaboration with the White House on November 4. The video features footage of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining people of color while Rodrigo’s lyrics play in the background.
The government post contains an explicit threat, stating: “LEAVE NOW and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don’t, you will face the consequences.” The video specifically used portions of Rodrigo’s song that include the lyrics, “All the time, I’m grateful all the time, I’m sexy and I’m kind, I’m pretty when I cry.”
Rodrigo’s “All-American Bitch” comes from her critically acclaimed second studio album “Guts,” released in 2023. The song, which deals with complex themes of gender expectations and societal pressures, was repurposed in a context that the artist clearly finds objectionable.
This incident reflects a growing pattern of musicians opposing the Trump administration’s use of their intellectual property. British singer Jess Glynne similarly denounced the White House for incorporating her hit song “Hold My Hand” – widely known as the “Jet2 holiday” sound from a popular travel company’s advertisements – in a deportation-themed social media post.
“This post honestly makes me sick,” Glynne wrote on Instagram, emphasizing that her music represents “love, unity, and spreading positivity — never about division or hate.” The White House had exploited the viral trend by posting a video with the caption: “When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. Nothing beats it.”
The Trump administration has intensified its focus on immigration enforcement since taking office. In January, the Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of a longstanding policy that had previously restricted ICE agents from conducting arrests at sensitive locations including houses of worship, schools, and hospitals.
Comedian Theo Von also found himself unwittingly associated with the deportation campaign when DHS used a clip of him saying “Heard you got deported, dude — bye” in another promotional video. Von clarified that the quote was taken out of context from a message he recorded for a fan’s friend and requested its removal.
“Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this,” Von wrote in a since-deleted tweet. “When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows.” Following his complaint, DHS removed the video.
These incidents highlight the ongoing tension between artists and government agencies over content ownership and political messaging. Under U.S. copyright law, permission is typically required for commercial use of music, though government entities sometimes claim fair use exemptions for official communications.
For Rodrigo, who has previously engaged with the White House on other issues, this unauthorized use of her music represents an unwelcome political association. The 21-year-old artist has built a reputation not only for her chart-topping music but also for being outspoken on social issues important to her generation.
The controversy underscores broader debates about immigration policy under the current administration and the ethical questions surrounding government messaging on deportation. As artists like Rodrigo continue to push back against unauthorized use of their creative work, the intersection of entertainment, intellectual property rights, and political messaging remains contentious territory in America’s polarized media landscape.
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5 Comments
As a fan of Olivia Rodrigo’s music, I’m glad to see her speaking out against the unauthorized and inappropriate use of her work by the government. Artists should have control over how their creations are portrayed and distributed.
This is a disappointing situation where the government appears to be exploiting an artist’s music without their consent for a controversial political agenda. Respect for intellectual property rights is important, even in the public sphere.
This case highlights the ongoing tension between artistic expression and political agendas. While the government may have felt the song resonated with their message, they should have sought permission from the artist first. Respect for intellectual property is crucial.
I’m curious to learn more about the context and motivations behind the government’s use of Olivia Rodrigo’s song in this immigration-related video. Unauthorized use of copyrighted material raises ethical concerns that deserve scrutiny.
Olivia Rodrigo has every right to condemn the unauthorized use of her music for political messaging. Artists should be able to control how their creative work is used, especially when it goes against their values and principles.