Introduction
Have you ever had that weird feeling of déjà vu—like you’ve seen the same thing play out before? For some artists, it’s becoming an all-too-familiar scenario: their music is used without permission, often in a way they find deeply troubling. That’s exactly what’s happened with Olivia Rodrigo and her song All‑American Bitch.
In November 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the White House, shared a video to Instagram featuring ICE officers detaining and deporting people—set to Rodrigo’s track, without her permission. The caption on the video urged undocumented immigrants to “LEAVE NOW and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don’t, you will face the consequences.”
Rodrigo responded swiftly: “don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
This incident raises questions about art, power and agency—and here’s what you need to know.
What Happened?
- The video in question was posted on November 4 2025 by DHS and the White House, and it uses Rodrigo’s song “All-American Bitch”.
- The imagery shows ICE officers forcibly detaining people of colour, followed by footage of so-called immigrants voluntarily boarding flights—thumbs up and smiling. The caption encourages self-deportation via the CBP Home app.
- Rodrigo publicly condemned the post, calling the use of her song “racist, hateful propaganda”.
- She has been vocal in her support of immigrant communities and has previously criticised ICE’s aggressive raids in her hometown of Los Angeles.
Why It Matters: Artists, Rights & Government Message
1. Music & Messaging
Music is a deeply personal and powerful form of expression. When a government uses a song to promote a message—especially one tied to contentious policies like immigration—it can feel like the artist’s voice is being co-opted without their consent.
2. Consent & Control
Rodrigo’s reaction underscores an artist’s right to control how their work is used. The fact that many artists (including Rodrigo) have had to publicly denounce misuse of their songs by the government shows how frequent this problem is.
3. Political & Social Implications
The content of the video ignited anger not only because of the unauthorised song use, but also because of the broader message: urging undocumented people to self-deport under threat of “consequences”. Rodrigo and others see this as part of a pattern of harsh immigration enforcement and lack of empathy toward immigrants.
Rodrigo’s Background & Stance on Immigration
- Olivia Rodrigo grew up in Los Angeles and has written about how the city simply “wouldn’t exist without immigrants”.
- In June 2025, she posted on Instagram Story: “I’ve lived in LA my whole life and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbours under the current administration.”
- Her strong stance gives context to why she reacted so quickly when her music was used in the video.
Looking Ahead: What This Could Mean
- Legal/Industry Implications: Unauthorized use of music by political or governmental bodies may increase scrutiny over licensing, rights, and consent. Artists may begin to take stronger legal action or issue cease-and-desist notices.
- Public Relations & Reputation: For the government agencies involved (DHS, ICE, White House), being called out by a high-profile artist could fuel further criticism of their messaging and tactics.
- Artist Advocacy & Empowerment: This incident may embolden more artists to speak out against the misuse of their work, especially when tied to political or social issues.
Conclusion
The clash between Olivia Rodrigo and the U.S. government agencies over the unauthorised use of her song “All-American Bitch” is more than a celebrity spat—it’s a spotlight on creative rights, political messaging, and the power of public voice. Rodrigo’s immediate response might serve as a warning to others: whether you’re a government entity, a brand, or a content creator, using someone’s art without their consent—especially in a way they find morally objectionable—can backfire.
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