Olivia Rodrigo has criticised the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the White House after her 2023 track “All‑American Bitch” was used in a government video promoting self-deportation of undocumented immigrants. The clip, shared via official Instagram channels, opens with the song playing over scenes of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining people, then prompts viewers to use a government app to “LEAVE NOW” or face unspecified “consequences”.
Rodrigo responded directly on social media, writing “don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.” The comment has since been deleted but was widely shared and captured in screenshots. Following her criticism, Instagram removed the song from the post, where it is now listed as “currently unavailable”.
@jessthereporter @Olivia Rodrigo #oliviarodrigo ♬ original sound - Jess Lucero❤️🔥
A spokesperson for the DHS defended the posting, stating that “America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”
The incident places Rodrigo among a number of high-profile artists who have objected to the unauthorised use of their music by the former Donald Trump administration.
Rodrigo, who previously criticised ICE deportation raids in Los Angeles and emphasised her support for immigrant communities, has repeatedly spoken out on immigration issues. In contrast, this latest move by the White House and DHS has triggered fresh debate over how artists’ work can be repurposed for political messaging without consent.
The matter highlights the wider tensions between creative rights, political use of culture, and how global migration issues resonate beyond the US border.
