Olivia Rodrigo told Dazed magazine in a new interview ahead of the release of her third studio album that she was “enraged” last fall when she was scrolling on her phone and discovered that Trump’s Department of Homeland Security was using her song “All-American Bitch” to promote ICE deportations.
“It was so deeply disturbing to see that propaganda, and the fact it was my song in there made me feel even more enraged,” Rodrigo said. “What they’re doing is so awful and barbaric and cruel. I am really sad to be in a country that thinks that’s okay.”
Rodrigo initially responded to the DHS by commenting on the post: “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
The video was posted last year on Nov. 4 and used “All-American Bitch,” the first song on Rodrigo’s 2023 sophomore album “Guts,” over images of ICE agents detaining people of color. The DHS captioned the video: “LEAVE NOW and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don’t, you will face the consequences.” Rodrigo’s song played in the background with the following lyrics: “All the time, I’m grateful all the time, I’m sexy and I’m kind, I’m pretty when I cry.”
Rodrigo is far from the only artist to condemn Trump’s White House for using music without consent to promote ICE’s agenda. The DHS used Sabrina Carpenter’s “Juno” in a pro-ICE video last December, prompting the singer to post on social media: “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
Kenny Loggins made headlines last October for bashing the White House’s use of his hit song “Danger Zone” in a video that depicted Trump flying over No Kings protestors and dropping poop all over them.
“This is an unauthorized use of my performance of ‘Danger Zone.’ Nobody asked me for my permission, which I would have denied, and I request that my recording on this video is removed immediately,” Loggins said in a statement shared with Variety at the time. “I can’t imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us. Too many people are trying to tear us apart, and we need to find new ways to come together.”
Read Rodrigo’s full Dazed magazine interview here. Her new album, “You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” drops June 12.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source variety.com ’
