‘Barbaric and inhumane’: Singer Ariana Grande sparks debate after criticizing White House over ICE campaign post

Ariana Grande (Picture via Instagram)

Pop star Ariana Grande has strongly criticized the White House after one of her songs was used in a social media video promoting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

Ariana Grande reacts to White House using her songs for campaign

The controversy began when the White House shared a TikTok video highlighting immigration enforcement efforts. The clip featured footage of federal agents detaining and handcuffing individuals while Grande's 2024 song "Bye" played in the background. The post was accompanied by a caption that referenced the track's title and praised the administration's border policies.

Grande quickly responded in the comments section, making it clear that she did not approve of her music being associated with the video. "Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense," she wrote. She also expressed her opposition to ICE, drawing widespread attention online.

According to reports, the singer's team immediately began exploring ways to have the song removed from the video. Within hours of Grande's public objection, the White House muted the audio featuring "Bye," effectively removing the song from the post.

The White House, however, defended its position. In a statement, spokesperson Abigail Jackson pushed back against Grande's criticism, arguing that the administration's actions were aimed at addressing crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. The response underscored the ongoing divide between the administration and a number of artists who have objected to their music being used in political content.

Other musicians also came out in support

Grande is not the first musician to challenge the administration over such usage. Several artists, including Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA and others, have publicly criticized the use of their songs in videos related to immigration enforcement and deportation campaigns. Many have argued that their work should not be linked to messaging they oppose.

The incident also aligns with Grande's long-standing criticism of ICE policies. The singer has previously voiced support for immigrant rights and publicly condemned deportation practices. Earlier this year, she participated in campaigns opposing ICE and continued to speak out on immigration-related issues.

As debate surrounding the video continues, Grande's response has sparked widespread discussion online about artists' rights, political messaging and the use of copyrighted music in government social media campaigns.