|
Listen to article
|
Grammy-winning singer Ariana Grande has criticised the White House for using her hit song Bye in a social media video promoting immigration arrests, demanding that her music not be associated with what she described as “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.”
The controversy erupted after the White House recently shared a video on its social media platforms showing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arresting individuals identified as alleged illegal migrants. The footage featured scenes of handcuffing, detainee transportation and processing at detention centres, accompanied by a soundbite from Grande’s song Bye and the caption: “Bye-bye… President Trump has delivered the most secure border in history.”
Responding in the video’s comment section, Grande wrote, “Please do not use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.” The comment was later removed, but her objection quickly drew public attention.
The White House, however, rejected the singer’s criticism. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s immigration policies, saying, “What’s actually barbaric, inhumane, and heinous are the criminal illegal aliens who have injured and murdered innocent American citizens.”
Following Arianna Grande’s objection, the White House muted the video’s audio, although the clip remained online.
Arianna Grande joins a growing number of artistes who have publicly opposed the Trump administration’s use of their music. In 2025, Sabrina Carpenter asked the White House to exclude her work from what she called the president’s “inhumane” agenda. Music acts including ABBA, Céline Dion and Beyoncé have also previously raised similar concerns.
The singer has been a vocal critic of the administration in the past. Last year, she questioned Trump supporters online, asking whether the president’s policies had improved their daily lives.
The UK government Tuesday blocked US rapper Kanye West from visiting to headline a music festival amid a backlash over his past antisemitic outbursts, according to the BBC.
The rapper submitted an application to travel to Britain on Monday, but it was refused on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good, the broadcaster cited the Home Office as saying.
West is booked to play all three nights at the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, London in July as part of a European comeback tour.
Organisers of a London music Festival where Kanye West was to perform in July said Tuesday the event had been cancelled after the US rapper was barred from Britain.
Read Also: Warner Bros Hikes Purchase Price, Paramount Blows Hot
“As a result of the Home Office banning YE from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel,” organisers said on Instagram, using the name West is now known by.
The UK government Tuesday blocked US rapper Kanye West from visiting the country to headline a music festival due to his past antisemitic outbursts, forcing organisers to cancel the event.
The rapper had submitted an application to travel to Britain on Monday, but it was refused on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good, the BBC cited the Home Office as saying.
The organisers of the Wireless Festival in London, where West, now known as Ye, was booked to play all three nights in July, swiftly cancelled the event.
“As a result of the Home Office banning YE from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel,” organisers said on Instagram.
They added all ticket holders would receive “an automatic full refund”. Tickets only went on sale on Tuesday.
As the row heated up earlier Tuesday, West had offered to meet members of the British Jewish community.
The offer from the disgraced 48-year-old hip-hop star followed a decision by drinks giants Pepsi and Diageo to pull out of sponsoring the festival in the British capital.
In an advert in the Wall Street Journal headlined “To Those I’ve Hurt”, West tried to defuse the growing controversy.
“My only goal is to come to London and present a show of change, bringing unity, peace, and love through my music,” he said.
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to meet with members of the Jewish community in the UK in person.”
The UK government Tuesday blocked US rapper Kanye West from visiting to headline a music festival amid a backlash over his past antisemitic outbursts, according to the BBC.
The rapper submitted an application to travel to Britain on Monday, but it was refused on the grounds that his presence would not be conducive to the public good, the broadcaster cited the Home Office as saying.
West is booked to play all three nights at the Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park, London in July as part of a European comeback tour.
Organisers of a London music Festival where Kanye West was to perform in July said Tuesday the event had been cancelled after the US rapper was barred from Britain.
“As a result of the Home Office banning YE from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel,” organisers said on Instagram, using the name West is now known by.
