White House Draws Backlash for Using Bad Bunny Song in ICE Deportation Video
The official White House TikTok account posted a video on Wednesday, July 30, 2026, using "La Mudanza" from Bad Bunny's album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS as the soundtrack for footage of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detaining undocumented immigrants. The clip lifted the lyric "Un aplauso para mami y papi porque en verdad rompieron" ("a round of applause for mom and dad because they really made it") and overlaid text praising Donald J. Trump, captioned with "we will make America great again." According to NME, the video sparked a strong backlash among Bad Bunny's fans.
A public standoff with ICE
Bad Bunny has long been an outspoken critic of ICE enforcement operations. Earlier in 2026, he was confirmed as the Super Bowl halftime show performer, a decision that drew fierce backlash from the MAGA movement. Trump himself called the choice "ridiculous" and claimed he had never heard of the artist. Advisers to Trump later said ICE would deploy personnel at the performance venue.
Bad Bunny had previously announced he would not hold any tour dates within the United States, citing concerns over potential ICE raids at his concerts. After the halftime show aired, a poll found that more Americans felt Bad Bunny "represented the country better" than Trump did. Trump subsequently posted on Truth Social calling the halftime show a "slap in the face" to America.
Not the first artist caught up in this
Unauthorized use of musicians' songs by the White House and related government agencies is not new. Ariana Grande criticized the White House last month for using her song "Bye" in an ICE detention video, calling the footage "barbaric and inhumane." Kesha also objected after "Blow" was used in a military-themed video, and Boards of Canada, along with their label Warp Records, condemned the unauthorized use of "Deep Time" in a border-patrol-related post. Sabrina Carpenter described an ICE video featuring her song "Juno" as "vile and disgusting," while Olivia Rodrigo accused the government of using her music to spread "racist and hateful propaganda."
Other artists and estates who have objected to the Trump administration using their music include The Rolling Stones, Adele, Neil Young, Jack White, ABBA, Céline Dion, Foo Fighters, the estate of Isaac Hayes, and Eddy Grant.