Swedish pop singer Zara Larsson has publicly condemned the Trump administration following the unauthorized use of her song “Midnight Sun” in an official White House TikTok video. The footage, which depicts U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detaining migrants, utilized the track’s chorus to accompany scenes of enforcement operations, according to Contactmusic.
In a statement regarding the incident, Larsson expressed significant distress, noting that the content left her “sad” and “heart heavy.” She argued that the administration’s use of her work was “dehumanizing” and fundamentally at odds with the song’s original intent. Larsson explained that “Midnight Sun” was written to convey themes of connection to nature and humanity, whereas the video served to amplify division.
“These people in the video are real people,” Larsson stated. “These people who are undocumented are regular people with jobs, and they’re just trying to have a better future.” She emphasized that the circumstances of birth and geography are a matter of luck, and that the video failed to acknowledge the human reality of the individuals being detained.
Larsson is the latest in a series of high-profile artists to challenge the administration’s use of music in official social media content. Her objection follows similar public disputes involving artists such as Katy Perry and Ariana Grande, who have previously contested the use of their intellectual property in political or government-affiliated messaging.
Follow-up Questions
What is confirmed in this story?
Zara Larsson Condemns Unauthorized Use of Music in White House ICE Video Singer Zara Larsson criticized the White House for using her song “Midnight Sun” in a TikTok video featuring ICE officers detaining migrants, calling it dehumanizing.
What should readers watch next?
In a statement regarding the incident, Larsson expressed significant distress, noting that the content left her “sad” and “heart heavy.” She argued that the administration’s use of her work was “dehumanizing” and fundamentally at odds with the song’s original intent.
What remains unclear: The available reporting does not yet fully settle the next step in the story.
Perspectives
Artist’s Position vs Political Context
Story lens
Artist’s Position
Larsson frames the administration’s use of her work as an ethical violation that weaponizes art to dehumanize vulnerable populations. Her position signals a growing trend where artists actively police their intellectual property to distance themselves from political agendas they find harmful
Political Context
The administration’s use of such content is likely intended to promote its immigration policy enforcement. This approach carries the risk of alienating cultural figures and creating public relations friction, as demonstrated by the repeated objections from high-profile musicians
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