Once again, the Trump administration finds itself at odds with a pop musician, this time with Olivia Rodrigo. After the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the White House utilized her 2023 song "all-american bitch" to promote self-deportation among undocumented immigrants in a November 4 social media post, the agency doubled down on its stance.
In a statement to USA TODAY on November 7, a spokesperson for the DHS referenced lyrics from Rodrigo's song, stating, "America is always grateful for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice."
The response came after the 22-year-old "drivers license" singer reportedly shared a sharply worded response to the video, saying, "Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda," according to Billboard and Rolling Stone. As of Sunday, November 9, Rodrigo's comment was no longer available under the post, and the promotional clip for Immigration and Customs Enforcement had no music underscoring the footage due to an error message issued by Instagram stating that "this song is currently unavailable."
The promotional clip for Immigration and Customs Enforcement compiles footage of agents pursuing and handcuffing various people with an overlaid message that says "if ICE finds you." Next, it shows people allegedly voluntarily boarding buses and planes alongside the caption "if you self-deport." The post encourages those living in the U.S. without documentation to download Customs and Border Protection's app and apply for a $1,000 "exit bonus" for leaving the country of their own accord. The post's caption reads, "LEAVE NOW and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don't, you will face the consequences."
Rodrigo has previously been outspoken about political issues such as the repeal of Roe v. Wade and immigrant rights. "I've lived in LA my whole life and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration," she wrote in a June Instagram story, according to The Guardian and Billboard. "LA simply wouldn't exist without immigrants. Treating hardworking community members with such little respect, empathy, and due process is awful."
This isn't the only time a singer has objected to President Donald Trump and his team's use of their work to promote his political agenda. In 2024, The White Stripes sued the Trump campaign for posting a social media video that used their highly recognizable 2003 track "Seven Nation Army." Jack and Meg White have since dropped the case. Similarly, Kenny Loggins recently denounced the Trump administration's "unauthorized" use of his song "Danger Zone" in an AI video, saying, "I can't imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us."
In his second term, President Trump has vowed to carry out mass deportations of unauthorized immigrants, citing alleged threats to public safety. Immigration enforcement raids and National Guard deployments in cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, and Portland have prompted widespread protests and sowed fear among communities.
