01What happened

The story, straight

Ariana Grande publicly called out the Trump administration for using a version of her 2024 song 'Bye' in a TikTok post that depicted ICE agents arresting and handcuffing people. The White House account shared the video earlier this week; Grande commented directly on the post, asking them to stop. She described the policies the video promoted as "barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense." Variety reported the story on June 11, 2026, with CBC corroborating the following day.

Ariana Grande saw the White House TikTok using her song 'Bye' over footage of ICE agents arresting people and told them to stop. She commented directly on the post, calling the administration's policies "barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense." The song is from 2024. Variety broke it June 11, CBC confirmed the next day.

02Spread timeline

Where it actually started

Earlier this week (Jun 2026)Origin
White House account posts TikTok video of ICE agents arresting and handcuffing people, set to a version of Ariana Grande's 2024 song 'Bye.'White House TikTok uses 'Bye' over ICE arrest footage
source
Jun 11, 2026
Grande comments directly on the White House TikTok post, telling the administration to stop using her music. Variety publishes the story.Grande tells them off in the comments. Variety reports it.
source
Jun 12, 2026
CBC corroborates the story; Mastodon mirror circulates the report.CBC picks it up, Mastodon mirror spreads it further
source

04What's solid, what isn't

Claims by status

Confirmed
  • The White House TikTok account posted a video of ICE agents arresting and handcuffing people set to Ariana Grande's 2024 song 'Bye.'
  • Grande commented on the post, telling the administration to stop using her music.
  • Grande described the administration's policies as 'barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.'
Developing
  • Whether the White House will respond or remove the TikTok.
  • Whether Grande's team will pursue legal action beyond the public comment.

05Why it matters

The editorial take

This is the latest in a long line of artists demanding politicians stop co-opting their music — but the ICE angle makes it sharper than a typical campaign-usage complaint. The White House's use of a pop song to soundtrack deportation footage turns a licensing dispute into a cultural flashpoint about immigration enforcement and celebrity platform. Grande's direct comment on the TikTok, rather than a lawyer's letter, signals a more confrontational approach from artists.

Artists telling politicians to stop using their music is nothing new, but soundtracking ICE arrests with a pop hit hits different. Grande went straight to the TikTok comments instead of sending a legal letter — she wants the confrontation public. This one's going to keep escalating.