Ariana Grande calls White House ICE video 'barbaric' after using her Bye song

Pop singer Ariana Grande has called out the White House after one of her songs appeared in an ICE-related video. Her response has sparked a fresh political and cultural debate.

In Short

• Ariana Grande told White House to stop using song in ICE arrest video
• Press time footage showed ICE agents making arrests without any audio
• Abigail Jackson defended policy, blaming criminal illegal aliens for violence

Ariana Grande has publicly criticised Donald Trump’s White House after her 2024 song Bye was used in a social media video promoting arrests carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The singer condemned the use of her music in a TikTok video posted by the White House, which featured a compilation of ICE agents making arrests. Reacting to the clip, Grande wrote, “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense. F— ICE.” Her representatives later confirmed the comment was genuine, although it is no longer visible on the post. The video has since been muted.

Why is Ariana Grande upset?

The controversy centres on a White House social media post that paired footage of immigration enforcement operations with Grande’s track Bye, a song from her 2024 album Eternal Sunshine. The song peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Grande has been an outspoken critic of ICE and the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Earlier this year, she wore an “ICE Out” pin at the Golden Globes and has repeatedly voiced support for immigrant communities.

How did the White House respond?

The White House defended the video and pushed back against Grande’s criticism. In a statement to US media outlets, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the administration believed the real victims were Americans harmed by undocumented immigrants who had committed crimes.

The exchange marks the latest clash between Grande and the Trump administration. Last year, the singer questioned Trump supporters in an Instagram post, criticising immigration enforcement measures and policies affecting transgender people.

Which other artists have criticised ICE?

Grande is not alone in speaking out. Several high-profile musicians, including Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter, have also criticised the administration’s use of ICE and its immigration policies.

The controversy comes amid a busy period for Grande. Her latest single, Hate That I Made You Love Me, recently debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her 10th chart-topping hit. Her upcoming project Petal is scheduled for release on July 31.

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