Grande Music Dispute
Ariana Grande Demands White House Remove Song From Immigration Video; Administration Counters Criticism
Key Points
In response to Grande’s criticism, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said: “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.”
Grande has continued to signal anti-ICE messaging publicly; TMZ reports she was photographed wearing an “ICE OUT” pin during the 2026 Golden Globes.
Beyond statements, Grande has amplified anti-ICE resources—TMZ says she reposted Instagram stories directing followers to “scripts for reporting ICE activity to senators” and information for the “NYC Deportation Defense Hotline.”
TMZ notes that not all major artists have spoken out: it specifically points to Taylor Swift’s prior silence when the White House used Swift’s song “The Fate of Ophelia” in a social media promotional video.
CBC adds broader context on how the White House uses music and the range of prior objections: it says Trump’s communications team often posts short videos featuring popular songs, and that artists such as Neil Young, John Fogerty, Phil Collins, Panic! At The Disco, and estates of Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty and Prince have objected—some reportedly filed lawsuits.
Ariana Grande is demanding the Trump White House remove her 2024 song "Bye" from a TikTok video that shows federal agents arresting and handcuffing people during immigration raids. Grande called the video "barbaric, inhumane, [and] heinous" and said her music should never be used to promote such policies, according to Forbes and Just Jared.
The White House shot back fast. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said: "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." Grande's legal team has since sent a formal cease and desist letter to the White House Communications Office, TMZ reports.
White House Video Used "Bye" to Soundtrack ICE Arrests
On June 10, 2026, the White House posted a 60-second TikTok video titled "Securing the Border." It featured ICE and border patrol agents making arrests, set to the chorus of Grande's hit "Bye" from her album *Eternal Sunshine*. The video racked up 14.2 million views before Grande's objection sparked a removal demand, according to Newsy Today.
The song was originally written about leaving a toxic relationship. The White House repurposed lines like "Bye / I'm taking my stuff / I'm leaving you behind" as a message to undocumented immigrants being deported. Grande responded on Instagram Stories the next day, saying the music was "meant for healing and liberation" — not to "promote hate," Geo.tv reported.
Grande Has Been Loudly Anti-ICE Since the Golden Globes
Grande's pushback did not come out of nowhere. At the 2026 Golden Globes in January, she wore a custom diamond-encrusted "ICE OUT" pin on the red carpet — a clear signal of her stance against the administration's immigration enforcement, TMZ reported.
She has also used her 125 million combined social media followers to spread anti-ICE resources. TMZ says she reposted Instagram stories with scripts for calling senators to report ICE activity and shared information for the "NYC Deportation Defense Hotline." Her team says the cease and desist letter was filed to get the music pulled as soon as possible.
Trump Team Has a Long History of Using Artists' Songs Without Permission
This fight is not new. CBC reports that Trump's communications team regularly posts short videos on social media featuring popular songs — and artists regularly object. Neil Young, John Fogerty, Phil Collins, and Panic! At The Disco have all pushed back. The estates of Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty, and Prince have issued formal objections, and some have reportedly filed lawsuits.
The legal issue comes down to licenses. Playing a song at a rally may be covered by a blanket deal with a performing rights group like ASCAP or BMI. But using a song in a TikTok video typically requires a "sync license" — direct permission from the artist or label. Legal analysts told CBC that the White House likely does not have that permission for "Bye," and Grande's team may have a strong copyright case.
Taylor Swift Stayed Quiet — Grande Did Not
The contrast with Taylor Swift is drawing attention. The White House previously used Swift's song "The Fate of Ophelia" in a social media video about judicial appointments. Swift said nothing publicly. TMZ specifically pointed to her silence as a foil to Grande's vocal response, highlighting how differently two of pop's biggest stars have handled the same situation.
For now, the White House has not taken the video down. If TikTok removes it in response to a formal DMCA copyright notice — a legal tool that forces platforms to pull unauthorized content — it would set a major precedent: that even the executive branch is not above copyright law on social media, Ynet News noted.
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