Ariana Grande Condemns White House for Using Her Music in Immigration Crackdown TikTok

Ariana Grande publicly criticized the Biden administration for using her song “Bye” in a TikTok video promoting border policies, according to multiple reports. The “We Can’t Be Friends” singer wrote in the comments: “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense. F— ice,” as cited by The New York Times.

Context of the Controversy

The White House posted a TikTok on Tuesday featuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers handcuffing individuals to the track “Bye,” which was released in 2020. The video’s caption read: “Bye-bye 👋 President Trump has delivered the most secure border in history,” according to Rolling Stone. Grande’s comment, which included the phrase “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense,” was later removed from the video’s replies.

White House Response

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded to the controversy in an emailed statement to The New York Times, asserting: “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 TikTok’s audio was also disabled following the backlash.

Historical Precedent of Artists Objecting to Political Use

Grande joins a long list of musicians who have opposed political figures using their work without consent. Beyoncé’s team issued a cease-and-desist after Trump’s campaign used “Freedom” at rallies, while Celine Dion’s management condemned the use of “My Heart Will Go On” at a 2024 event. Bruce Springsteen famously endorsed Hillary Clinton after Trump used “Born in the U.S.A.” without permission in 2016, calling the former president a “moron.”

Broader Implications for Music and Politics

The incident highlights tensions between artists and political campaigns over intellectual property and messaging. In 2023, Johnny Marr of The Smiths demanded the immediate shutdown of a Trump rally using the band’s song, while Sabrina Carpenter called the unauthorized use of her track “evil.” These cases underscore a recurring pattern of musicians seeking to distance their work from controversial political narratives.

What’s Next for the White House?

The administration has not yet addressed the specific backlash against the “Bye” TikTok. However, the episode adds to ongoing scrutiny of how political entities leverage popular culture. As the 2024 election cycle intensifies, such disputes are likely to escalate, with artists increasingly vocal about protecting their creative output from partisan appropriation.