Zara Larsson criticises White House for using her song in deportation video
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson has condemned the White House for using her song 'Midnight Sun' in a social media video depicting immigration enforcement raids, calling the clip 'dehumanizing.' She joined other artists who have told the Trump administration not to use their music, emphasizing that undocumented people are real individuals seeking a better future.
Why it matters
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between artists and political administrations over intellectual property use and the weaponization of cultural content for political messaging, particularly on sensitive issues like immigration. It also reflects broader debates about the ethics of social media content and its impact on public perception.
Image source, Penske Media via Getty Images Image caption, Larsson accuses the White House of using her song to promote "dehumanising" messages
Swedish pop star Zara Larsson has condemned the White House for using one of her most recognisable songs in a social media reel.
The clip used Larsson's Midnight Sun in a video appearing to show immigration enforcement raids. The song has since been removed from the post, but the video is still visible on the White House's TikTok feed.
The video is captioned "never ending deportations", riffing on Larsson's lyrics "never-ending midnight sun".
In a three-minute reaction video posted on social media, Larsson described the clip as "dehumanising", joining a growing list of singers, including Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande, who have told the Trump administration to not use their music.
The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.
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