Hollywood Elites Slam White House Over ICE Videos, Border Enforcement Continues

Ariana Grande is the latest pop star to lash out at the White House after her song was featured in a TikTok video highlighting Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations. But the Trump administration isn't backing down from its commitment to border security and public safety.

The video, posted on the official White House TikTok account, showed ICE agents detaining individuals with their hands cuffed behind their backs. The caption celebrated a major policy achievement: Bye-bye. President Trump has delivered the most secure border in history.

Grande responded directly in the comments section, according to the Los Angeles Times. Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense. F -- ice, she wrote.

The White House has since removed the audio from the clip and appears to have hidden or deleted Grande's comment. But the administration had a sharp response for the pop star's criticism.

White House Pushes Back

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson issued a statement that cut straight to the heart of the matter.

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.

The exchange highlights a growing pattern. As the Trump administration ramps up enforcement and deportation efforts, Hollywood celebrities are pushing back. But for many Iowans who prioritize community safety and the rule of law, the administration's stance resonates.

A Growing List of Celebrity Complaints

Grande joins a string of high-profile artists who have objected to the White House using their music in immigration enforcement posts. The pattern has become familiar: the White House posts a video, the artist complains, and the administration removes the audio while standing firm on policy.

Sabrina Carpenter

In December, the White House posted a video on X showing immigration raids set to Sabrina Carpenter's song Juno. The clip was later deleted.

This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda, the Espresso singer said.

SZA

Grammy winner SZA accused the White House of using artists for rage bait after her song Big Boys appeared in a deportation video.

The White House X post read: WE HEARD IT'S CUFFING SZN. Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America.

SZA called the strategy peak dark and criticized what she described as inhumanity + shock and awe tactics.

Olivia Rodrigo

In November, Olivia Rodrigo criticized the Department of Homeland Security after an Instagram post used her song All-American Bitch.

Don't ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda, Rodrigo wrote.

DHS responded firmly: 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.

Rodrigo later told Dazed magazine the clip was deeply disturbing and called the enforcement actions awful and barbaric and cruel.

Trump and the Music Industry: A History of Clashes

The friction between Republican leaders and recording artists didn't start with TikTok. During Trump's 2016 campaign, several major artists demanded he stop playing their music at rallies.

Adele

After Trump played Rolling in the Deep at an Iowa rally, Adele's spokesperson said the singer has not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning.

Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones told Trump to stop using their music in 2016. By 2020, the band threatened legal action, working with music rights organization BMI to prevent unauthorized use of their songs during Trump's reelection campaign. The band said unauthorized use will constitute a breach of its licensing agreement.

No lawsuit materialized, and the band's hit Gimme Shelter later appeared in the documentary Melania.

ABBA

The Swedish pop legends instructed Trump's team in 2024 to stop playing The Winner Takes It All at campaign rallies. ABBA member Bjorn Ulvaeus acknowledged a legal grey area exists around political use of music, suggesting clearer legal rulings are needed.

Linkin Park

Linkin Park issued a cease and desist in 2020 after Trump retweeted a fan-made video featuring their song In the End.

Linkin Park did not and does not endorse Trump, nor authorize his organization to use any of our music, the band stated.

Kesha

Singer Kesha objected in March when the White House used her song Blow in a TikTok video showing US fighter jets.

Trying to make light of war is disgusting and inhumane. I absolutely DO NOT approve of my music being used to promote violence of any kind, Kesha posted on X.

Céline Dion

Dion's management criticized the use of My Heart Will Go On at a Trump rally in Montana in 2024, saying the usage was in no way authorized. They added a pointed remark: And really, that song?

The Bigger Picture for Iowa and America

While celebrities voice outrage over song usage, many Americans, including Iowans, see the administration's enforcement actions differently. Border security and the deportation of criminal illegal aliens remain top priorities for conservative voters who supported Trump's promise to deliver the most secure border in history.

The White House has consistently removed audio when artists object, respecting copyright concerns while refusing to apologize for enforcing immigration law. For supporters, the focus remains on public safety and the victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens, not the soundtrack choices on social media posts.

As the debate over music rights and political messaging continues, one thing is clear: the Trump administration is prioritizing border enforcement and American safety over Hollywood approval.