Ariana Grande Slams Trump’s White House for Using Her Song to Promote ICE Deportations: ‘Barbaric, Inhumane, Heinous Nonsense’

Ariana Grande has publicly condemned the White House after its official TikTok account featured a snippet of her 2024 track "Bye" in a video showcasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting arrests and handcuffing individuals. The pop superstar, whose discography includes smash hits such as "Thank U, Next" and "7 Rings," responded directly on the administration's social media post earlier this week. "Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense," she wrote in a comment that Reuters later confirmed had been posted to the video. This reaction is part of a wider pattern among musicians who are increasingly speaking out against the unauthorized use of their work in political contexts, a trend that has previously led to legal disputes. According to entertainment lawyer Sarah Jenkins, "Artists are becoming more vigilant about protecting their brand and message from being co-opted by causes they don't support, especially when it involves controversial government actions."

A representative for Grande verified to Variety that the comment was authentic, though they noted it is "for some reason not publicly visible" on the post. The singer's team is now actively working to have the audio track removed from the video entirely. This incident is not an isolated one; Grande has a history of voicing opposition to the Trump administration and its policies. In September 2025, she reshared an Instagram post by activist Matt Bernstein that condemned ICE raids, transphobic rhetoric, and other perceived threats to democracy, framing it as a "check-in" for Trump supporters. Her political engagement extends back further, including her endorsement of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and a performance for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2014 "In Performance at the White House: Women of Soul" event. The singer, who has won multiple Grammy Awards and sold over 90 million records worldwide, has consistently used her platform to advocate for social justice causes, making this latest clash consistent with her public persona.

The White House was quick to respond to the criticism. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Variety, "We'll say this one last time: what's actually barbaric, inhumane, and heinous are the criminal illegal aliens who have injured and murdered innocent American citizens." Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai also addressed Grande directly, employing wordplay from her song titles. "Save your tears, Ariana. Because President Trump's actions ended Joe Biden's inflation crisis and are bringing in trillions in new investment," he said. "He even signed an executive order just like magic that paved the way for the FTC to crack down on Ticketmaster for ripping off Ariana Grande's concert-going fans. Get well soon, Ariana!" This reference to Ticketmaster alludes to widespread complaints about dynamic pricing during her recent tour, a practice that has drawn scrutiny from consumer advocates and lawmakers alike. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an independent agency established in 1914 to protect consumers from unfair business practices, has previously investigated ticketing practices, though specific actions under the current administration remain a subject of debate. The exchange highlights the increasingly combative nature of interactions between artists and political figures in the social media era.

Grande is currently on her "Eternal Sunshine" tour, with plans to perform at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena this Saturday. The venue, originally opened in 1999 as the Staples Center, is a major entertainment hub that has hosted numerous high-profile concerts and sporting events, including multiple NBA Finals series. The dispute underscores the ongoing tension between artists and political entities over the unauthorized use of music, an issue that has led to several high-profile legal battles in recent years. For instance, musicians like Rihanna and Neil Young have previously taken legal action against political campaigns for using their songs without permission. As intellectual property rights become increasingly contested in the digital age, this case serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between creative expression and political messaging. Music industry analyst Mark Thornton notes, "When a song is used without consent, it can create a false association that damages the artist's reputation. This is why we're seeing more artists proactively monitoring and challenging such uses."