Celebrities Call Out White House for Unauthorized Music Use

Pop music icons including SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo are publicly condemning the White House for using their songs without permission in social media posts and campaign materials. The controversy centers around the Trump administration’s use of pop music to accompany videos that depict arrests by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This has sparked outrage among artists, who feel their music is being used to promote a divisive agenda.

In recent months, the White House has been criticized for featuring tracks from various artists in connection with immigration enforcement activities. Under President Donald Trump, there has been a notable increase in ICE arrests, raising concerns about wrongful detentions. According to the Cato Institute, up to three-quarters of detainees this fiscal year have no criminal history, which adds to the controversy surrounding the administration’s tactics.

Artists Speak Out Against Misuse of Their Music

SZA was the latest artist to voice her disapproval when the White House shared a TikTok clip featuring her song “Big Boys” to soundtrack a montage of ICE officers arresting individuals. The video received significant attention, accumulating over 1.5 million likes. In her response, SZA criticized the White House for “rage baiting artists for free promo,” calling the tactic “PEAK DARK” and “inhumanity + shock and aw tactics.”

Similarly, Sabrina Carpenter expressed her disgust when a 14-second clip featuring her lyrics was used to accompany disturbing footage of ICE arrests. Carpenter labeled the video as “evil and disgusting” and declared that she wanted nothing to do with the White House’s “inhumane agenda.” Her social media post garnered more than 1.8 million likes, highlighting the public’s support for her stance.

In a mocking response to Carpenter’s criticism, a White House spokesperson issued a statement that included a reference to Carpenter’s album title, “Short n’ Sweet.” The spokesperson declared, “We won’t apologize for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country.”

Broadening Outrage from the Music Community

The backlash has not been limited to SZA and Carpenter. Jess Glynne, known for her hit “Hold My Hand,” expressed her dismay after the White House used her song to soundtrack a video of migrants being deported. Glynne stated, “This post honestly makes me sick. My music is about love, unity, and spreading positivity – never about division or hate.”

Meanwhile, Olivia Rodrigo joined the chorus of artists denouncing the administration’s actions. A post featuring her song “All-American B***” was removed after she commented that it should not be used to promote “racist, hateful propaganda.” A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security responded to Rodrigo’s remarks by emphasizing gratitude for law enforcement officers, indicating the administration’s steadfast stance.

The discontent extended to iconic artist Celine Dion, who condemned the unauthorized use of her classic “My Heart Will Go On” during a Trump rally in Bozeman, Montana, in 2024. Dion’s management made clear that there was no endorsement of the event, stating, “In no way is this use authorized.”

Swedish group ABBA also expressed their disapproval when it was revealed that their songs were played at Trump campaign events. Their record label, Universal Music, issued a statement demanding the removal of the unauthorized content, affirming that no permission had been granted for its use.

This growing list of artists who have publicly condemned the Trump administration’s use of their music reflects a significant trend within the entertainment industry. Other notable names, including Queen, Neil Diamond, and the family of Tom Petty, have also voiced their objections.

As the controversy continues, it highlights a critical intersection of art and politics, showing how artists are increasingly taking a stand against the exploitation of their work for purposes they find objectionable. The ongoing backlash suggests that this issue will remain a significant point of contention in the relationship between the entertainment industry and political figures.