Zara Larsson Blasts Trump White House for Using Her Pop Hit ‘Midnight Sun’ to Promote Deportations

Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson has publicly condemned the White House for its recent use of her song “Midnight Sun” in a TikTok video that promotes deportations. The video features Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting arrests while Larsson’s track plays in the background, an act she described as “so dehumanising” and contrary to the song’s themes of connection and unity.

The TikTok, shared on Wednesday, September 16, included the caption, “Never ending deportations…✨” and received significant backlash following its release. Larsson took to her own TikTok channel to express her disappointment and sadness regarding the video, stating, “Like, I don’t even know what to say. That really makes me sad to see that, genuinely. My heart’s heavy.”

In her response, Larsson expressed a desire to reach out to those responsible for creating the video, urging them to recognise our shared humanity. She stressed that many of the individuals depicted in the footage are just like everyone else, simply seeking a better life. “The biggest difference between us is that we were dealt a different hand in life,” she explained, drawing from her personal experiences growing up in Sweden where she had access to healthcare and education.

Larsson lamented the luck she feels she had in being born in a prosperous country, where numerous opportunities were readily available. She poignantly highlighted that many others do not share this fortune, pointing out, “There are people out there who are not that lucky. And they want to have a better life for their families or for themselves or for their children.”

While she acknowledged the importance of discussing immigration policies, Larsson argued that the video transcended political debate, describing it as profoundly dehumanising. “These people in this video are real people,” she stated. She further emphasised that many undocumented immigrants contribute positively to society, commonly holding jobs and striving for a brighter future.

The selection of “Midnight Sun” for the video also puzzled Larsson. The track, which embodies themes of togetherness and connection to nature, seems starkly at odds with the video’s narrative of division and defensiveness. Larsson’s frustration was evident as she questioned why the White House would choose her song for such a contentious video. “This just creates this massive divide between people,” she said, labelling the situation as “so f—ing uncool.”

This incident marks not the first occasion Larsson’s music has been co-opted by the administration. Earlier in 2026, her song “Lush Life” was featured in a video of President Donald Trump dancing, which promoted ICE and law enforcement. Larsson had responded to that incident on social media, articulating her stance on immigration, declaring her support for various marginalised groups while expressing a strong disdain for ICE.

Larsson is not alone in her criticism; several other artists have similarly objected to their music being used in the context of immigration-related policies. In June 2026, Ariana Grande voiced her concerns after her song “bye” was featured in a video of ICE arrests, commenting that her music should not be associated with such “barbaric and inhumane” actions. Following her complaints, the song was removed from the video.

Singer Sabrina Carpenter also expressed her outrage after the White House utilised her song “Juno” in a 2025 immigration arrest video, calling the post “evil and disgusting.” Moreover, SZA condemned the administration for using her track “Big Boys” in a similar context, accusing them of “rage baiting” artists for free promotion.

Currently, Zara Larsson is occupied with her Midnight Sun Tour, which commenced on October 28, 2025, in Munich, Germany, and is set to wrap up on November 12, 2026, in Wellington, New Zealand. Despite the controversy over her song, Larsson remains focused on her tour, continuing to engage with her fans through her music and activism.