In a new interview with Dazed magazine ahead of the release of her third studio album, Olivia Rodrigo revealed that she was "furious" last fall when she scrolled through her phone feed and discovered that Trump's Department of Homeland Security was using her song "All-American Bitch" to promote ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) deportations.
«"Seeing this propaganda was extremely unpleasant, and the fact that my song was on it angered me even more," Rodrigo said. "What they're doing is terrible, barbaric, and cruel. It makes me very sad to live in a country where this is considered normal.".
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Rodrigo initially responded to the US Department of Homeland Security by commenting on the post: "Never use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.".
The video, published last year on November 4th, featured the song "All-American Bitch," the first track from Rodrigo's second album, "Guts," released in 2023, against a backdrop of images of ICE agents detaining people of color. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security captioned the video: "LEAVE NOW and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don't, there will be consequences." Rodrigo's song played in the background, along with the lyrics: "Always grateful, always sexy and kind, I'm beautiful when I cry.".
Rodrigo is far from the only artist to condemn the Trump White House for using music without consent to promote ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The Department of Homeland Security used Sabrina Carpenter's song "Juno" in a pro-ICE video last December, prompting the singer to write on social media: "This video is evil and disgusting. Never use me or my music to advance your inhumane agenda.".
Last October, Kenny Loggins made headlines when he criticized the White House's use of his hit song "Danger Zone" in a video showing Trump flying over "No Kings" protesters and dropping excrement on them.
«"This is an unauthorized use of my performance of the song 'Danger Zone.' No one asked my permission, which I would refuse, and I request that my recording be removed from this video immediately," Loggins said in a statement provided to the publication. Variety at the time. "I can't understand why anyone would want their music used or associated with something created for the sole purpose of dividing us. There are too many people trying to tear us apart, and we need to find new ways to come together.".
Rodrigo's full interview with Dazed magazine can be read here. Her new album, "You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love," will be released on June 12.
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