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Olivia Rodrigo has publicly condemned the Trump administration after discovering her music was used in a government video promoting deportation efforts of undocumented immigrants.
The Department of Homeland Security and the White House posted a video on their official Instagram accounts featuring Rodrigo’s song “all-american bitch” as a soundtrack for a deportation-themed message. The video, uploaded on Election Day as Americans in several states cast their ballots, shows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining people with the ominous caption “IF ICE FINDS YOU.”
Rodrigo, who is Filipino American, reportedly responded with a forceful comment on the post: “don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.” Though the comment was later removed, screenshots had already circulated widely across social media platforms.
The controversial video features the loud intro of Rodrigo’s track while showing detention operations, then transitions to scenes of immigrants apparently self-deporting as her lyrics play: “All the time/I’m grateful all the time/I’m sexy and I’m kind/I’m pretty when I cry.” The post concluded with a stark warning: “LEAVE NOW and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don’t, you will face the consequences.”
By Friday, after Rodrigo’s response gained traction online, Instagram had removed the soundtrack from the clip, displaying an error message that read, “This song is currently unavailable.”
When contacted by the media, a DHS spokesperson defended the agency’s actions while taking a swipe at the singer: “America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.” The department did not address whether they had removed Rodrigo’s original comment from the post.
This incident adds Rodrigo to a growing list of musical artists who have objected to their work being used without consent by Trump or his administration. Other prominent artists who have pushed back include Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, and British singer Jess Glynne, who similarly objected when her music was used in political content.
Glynne expressed her outrage on Instagram, writing: “This post honestly makes me sick. My music is about love, unity, and spreading positivity – never about division or hate.”
For Rodrigo, this is not her first time speaking out against immigration policies. Earlier this year, she publicly condemned ICE raids in Los Angeles, where she has lived her entire life. “I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration,” she wrote on Instagram. “LA simply wouldn’t exist without immigrants. Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy, and due process is awful.”
The 22-year-old pop star’s relationship with the federal government has shifted dramatically. In 2021, during the Biden administration, she visited the White House dressed in a vintage pink Chanel suit to meet then-President Joe Biden and Dr. Anthony Fauci. During that visit, she helped promote youth COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Speaking from the White House podium at that time, Rodrigo expressed pride in the collaboration: “I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination. I’m in awe of the work President Biden and Dr. Fauci have done and was happy to help lend my support to this important initiative.”
The unauthorized use of music in political campaigns and government messaging has become increasingly contentious in recent years, with artists often objecting on both copyright grounds and concerns about implied endorsement. For many artists like Rodrigo, who has a predominantly young fan base, maintaining control over how their creative work is used in political contexts has become an important aspect of their public identity and brand management.
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7 Comments
This is a really concerning case of unauthorized use of an artist’s work to promote harmful propaganda. Olivia Rodrigo was right to forcefully condemn the Trump administration’s actions.
Trying to use an artist’s music without permission to spread a xenophobic message is a disgraceful tactic. I’m glad Rodrigo spoke up against this blatant misuse of her work.
The Trump team’s decision to use Rodrigo’s song in a deportation video is extremely troubling. Musicians should have control over how their art is used, especially for political purposes.
Olivia Rodrigo is completely right to condemn the Trump administration’s unauthorized use of her song. This is a clear abuse of power and an attack on artistic integrity.
Olivia Rodrigo is right to be outraged. Exploiting an artist’s work to promote harmful political views is unethical and an abuse of power.
This is a concerning example of how the Trump team has repeatedly misused copyrighted material for political gain. Rodrigo deserves credit for pushing back strongly.
The use of Rodrigo’s song in a deportation video is disturbing. Artists should have full control over how their work is used, especially for political messaging.