Ariana Grande Prompts Response From White House After Slamming Trump Administration: ‘Save Your Tears’

The White House has formally responded to singer Ariana Grande following her public criticism of Trump administration supporters. Grande, whose 2019 album "Thank U, Next" broke Spotify's record for most streams in a single day, shared an activist's post on Instagram that questioned the moral standing of Trump backers. The post highlighted policies such as ICE raids and transphobic language, warning of institutional threats and asking whether life had truly improved after 250 days given widespread family separations and community disruption.

In a statement issued to Entertainment Weekly, White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai replied using titles from Grande’s own songs—including "Save Your Tears," "Just Like Magic," and "Get Well Soon"—to frame the administration’s rebuttal. Desai remarked, “Save your tears, Ariana. President Trump’s leadership has ended the inflation crisis under Joe Biden and attracted trillions in new investment. He also signed an executive order, just like magic, that empowered the FTC to take action against Ticketmaster for overcharging your own fans.”

This comment refers to a recent lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission against Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster. The FTC, an agency created over a century ago to enforce antitrust laws, accuses the companies of misleading consumers about ticket resale costs. This legal move follows another suit filed just weeks earlier against Key Investment Group and resellers such as Epic Seats, which allegedly used illicit means to acquire and resell tickets—including for Taylor Swift’s "Eras Tour"—at inflated prices. As one industry expert noted, "These lawsuits signal a growing regulatory push to address long-standing grievances around ticket pricing transparency."

Grande has a history of political involvement, having endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and performed at the White House during the Obama administration. Her alignment with Democratic causes and her massive social media following—over 380 million Instagram followers—amplify her influence. A political communications analyst explained, "When a cultural figure of Grande’s stature speaks out, the response must be carefully calibrated. By weaving her lyrics into their reply, the White House aims to engage on her own turf, merging policy defense with cultural signaling." This exchange underscores the increasingly blurred lines between entertainment, activism, and official political discourse.