Ariana Grande slams Trump's 'barbaric and heinous' use of her song in ICE video

Listen, e no easy being a vocal critic of powerful people, especially when they're wielding the kind of influence that comes with running the White House. But for Ariana Grande, speaking truth to power is not just a moral imperative, it's a necessity. The Wicked star has never been one to shy away from controversy, and her latest clash with the Trump administration is a perfect example of that. Recently, Grande discovered that her 2024 track Bye had been used in a social media video promoting immigration arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. And let me tell you, she was not having it.

The clip in question was a TikTok montage featuring Grande's chart hit paired with footage of ICE agents detaining and handcuffing people. It was shared by the White House's official TikTok account, and it was clear that the intention was to celebrate President Donald Trump's immigration policies. But Grande had other ideas. After discovering the video, she publicly condemned it, writing in a comment: "Please do ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense." And then she threw in a few choice words for ICE: "F*** ICE." The clip was later removed from the video after Grande's representatives worked to have it taken down as quickly as possible.

You'd think that the Trump administration would be used to being called out by musicians, given their history of using popular songs in their promotional materials. But the White House was quick to respond to Grande's criticism, with Spokesperson Abigail Jackson hitting back at the singer. According to Jackson, what's actually barbaric, inhumane, and heinous are the "criminal illegal aliens who have injured and murdered innocent American citizens." But for Grande, the use of her music in a video promoting ICE's policies is a clear example of the administration's tone-deafness.

This is far from the first time that the Trump administration has found itself at odds with musicians over its use of popular songs. A growing list of artists have objected to their music being used in promotional materials, and it's clear that the administration is not taking the criticism seriously. But for Grande, this is just another chapter in her long-running criticism of Trump-era policies. She's been outspoken about her disagreement with the administration's stance on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and reproductive healthcare, and it's clear that she's not going to back down anytime soon.

Look, the thing is, this is not just about Ariana Grande's music or her politics. It's about the kind of message that the Trump administration is sending to the American people. By using Grande's song in a video promoting ICE's policies, they're sending a clear message that they're more interested in using fear-mongering tactics to further their agenda than in actually addressing the complex issues surrounding immigration. And that's a message that Grande is not going to let stand.