Swedish pop star Zara Larsson has publicly condemned the White House for using her song “Midnight Sun” as the soundtrack to a TikTok video featuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arresting and deporting individuals. The video, posted to the White House’s official TikTok account, carried the caption “Never ending deportations,” a phrase that appeared to play on the “never-ending midnight sun” lyric from Larsson’s song.
In a three-minute reaction video posted to her own social media, Larsson described the clip as “dehumanizing” and expressed sadness that her music was paired with the footage. The song has since been removed from the post, though the video remains visible on the White House’s TikTok feed.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Artist | Zara Larsson |
| Song | “Midnight Sun” |
| Platform | White House TikTok |
| Video subject | ICE immigration-enforcement footage |
| Caption | “Never ending deportations” |
| Larsson’s response | Publicly criticized the video in a three-minute TikTok |
| Her description | Called the video “dehumanizing” |
| Song-use authorization | Not publicly established; audio removed from post |
| White House response | No response identified in current reporting |
The controversy began when the White House’s official TikTok account posted a 19-second video that spliced together footage of ICE agents and other U.S. law enforcement personnel handcuffing men and placing them into vehicles. The video was set to Larsson’s “Midnight Sun” and captioned “Never ending deportations”.
Larsson discovered the post after fans tagged her in it. She responded with her own TikTok video, which has since accumulated more than 4.2 million views. In the video, she begins by making an “L” gesture with her fingers against her forehead before explaining why the use of her song upset her.
“I’m just sad. My heart is heavy seeing that,” Larsson said. She then addressed the creator of the video directly, saying she wished she could speak with them and emphasizing that people on both sides of the immigration debate are not fundamentally different.
According to reporting from the BBC and other outlets, the video combined multiple clips of ICE agents and other U.S. law enforcement personnel restraining men in handcuffs and placing them into vehicles. The video was approximately 19 seconds long and showed roughly a dozen men being restrained.
The caption “Never ending deportations” appeared to reference the “never-ending midnight sun” lyric from Larsson’s song. The video was posted to the White House’s official TikTok account, which is operated by the Trump administration.
The White House’s caption appeared to play on a phrase associated with Larsson’s song. The lyric “never-ending midnight sun” was transformed into “Never ending deportations,” creating an apparent wordplay between the song’s title and the administration’s immigration enforcement messaging.
The White House has not publicly explained its reasoning for selecting the song. The intent behind the pairing has not been confirmed by an official source, and the available reporting does not establish whether the song was licensed or used with permission.
Larsson’s response was detailed and emotional. In her three-minute TikTok, she explained that she felt “really sad” about the video and wished she could speak directly with whoever created it.
“I wish I could help you remember that you and I, we aren’t that different. At all. And we’re not that different from the people in this video, either,” she said. “The biggest difference between us is that we were dealt a different hand in life”.
Larsson reflected on her own upbringing in Sweden, noting that she had access to healthcare, education, and opportunities that many people do not. She described this as “luck” and emphasized that undocumented immigrants are often simply trying to build better lives for themselves and their families.
She also criticized what she described as the tendency to turn serious subjects into memes. “It’s so crazy how everything is so memified and so ‘ha-ha-ha,'” she said, accusing the White House of using her song to sow “division”.
Larsson’s characterization of the video as “dehumanizing” was central to her response. She specifically pointed to the disconnect between the song’s themes and the imagery in the White House video.
“This video is so dehumanizing. These people in the video are real people,” she said, pointing to a man wearing construction clothing who appeared in the footage. “They’re just trying to have a better future”.
Larsson explained that “Midnight Sun” is about feeling connected to nature, the universe, and other people. Seeing it paired with footage of immigration enforcement was jarring for her because she believes the song’s message is about connection rather than division.
She ended her video by calling those responsible for the post “f—king losers”.
“Midnight Sun” is the title track from Larsson’s fifth studio album, which was released in 2026. The song has become one of her most successful recent releases, peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100—her second-highest charting song on that chart, following her collaboration with PinkPantheress on “Stateside,” which peaked at No. 6.
The song’s lyrics center on themes of connection to nature, the universe, and other people. Larsson described the song as being about “feeling connected to nature, and feeling connected to the universe, and people, essentially”. This thematic content made the pairing with immigration enforcement footage particularly upsetting for her.
The contrast between the song’s themes and the White House video’s message was a central point in Larsson’s response. She explained that “Midnight Sun” is fundamentally about connection and unity, while the video, in her view, creates division.
“I think sure, if you want to talk about politics and immigration politics, fine. But that’s really not what this is,” she said. “This just creates this massive divide between people. I just don’t get it”.
Larsson’s comments reflect her personal interpretation of her own work. She has not stated that the White House violated any legal agreement, only that she objected to the association between her song and the footage.
This is not the first time Larsson has objected to the White House using her music. Earlier in 2026, the White House posted a video of President Donald Trump dancing to Larsson’s song “Lush Life,” accompanied by messages supporting ICE and law enforcement.
Larsson subsequently shared an Instagram Story expressing support for immigrants and other groups, writing, “I f—king hate ICE”. That incident established a pattern of Larsson objecting to the administration’s use of her music in political contexts.
Larsson is part of a growing list of artists who have publicly objected to the White House using their music in immigration-related or political social media content.
Ariana Grande objected after her song “Bye” appeared in a White House TikTok video featuring ICE agents. She commented, “Please do not ever use my music in relation to this barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense”.
Sabrina Carpenter called a White House video using her song “Juno” in a video depicting law enforcement apprehending individuals “evil and disgusting,” writing, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda”.
Noah Kahan criticized the White House for using his song “American Cars” in a post featuring President Trump. He wrote, “Would never approve of my music being used in support of you or this administration”.
Katy Perry spoke out after her song “Firework” was used in a TikTok featuring footage of military strikes, saying she was “deeply appalled and angry”.
Radiohead demanded that ICE remove their song “Let Down” from a video, stating, “You don’t get to appropriate it without a fight”.
The legal status of the White House’s use of “Midnight Sun” has not been established by any court or official legal determination. The available reporting does not specify whether the song was licensed for the post or used without authorization.
Music use in social media posts can involve several types of rights, including synchronization rights (for pairing music with video) and performance rights. Platform licensing arrangements can also affect what music is available for use. However, the mere fact that an artist objects to a use does not automatically establish that the use was unlawful.
The White House has not publicly commented on the licensing status of the “Midnight Sun” video. The audio has since been removed from the post, but the video remains visible. No legal action has been reported.
There is no reported lawsuit from Larsson over this specific video at the time of publication. Larsson’s response has been limited to public criticism on social media. She has not announced any intention to pursue legal action, and no court filings related to the video have been reported.
No response from the White House addressing Larsson’s comments was identified in the latest reporting reviewed for this article. Billboard noted that it reached out to the White House for comment, and the BBC also contacted the White House for comment, but no response has been publicly reported.
The White House has previously responded to artist criticism in some instances. After Noah Kahan objected to the use of his song, White House deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr posted a sarcastic response on X. After Sabrina Carpenter’s criticism, a White House spokesperson issued a statement defending the administration’s deportation policies. However, no such response has been reported in Larsson’s case.
Zara Larsson is a Swedish pop singer who has achieved international success over the past decade. She first gained widespread attention with her 2015 single “Lush Life,” which became a major hit across Europe. She followed with successful collaborations including “Never Forget You” with MNEK, “Symphony” with Clean Bandit, and “Stateside” with PinkPantheress.
Her fifth studio album, “Midnight Sun,” was released in 2026 and has become a defining project in her career. The title track gave her a No. 13 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, her second-highest charting song on that chart. A deluxe edition of the album, “Midnight Sun: Girls Trip,” was released in May 2026 and featured collaborations with Shakira, PinkPantheress, Robyn, and other artists.
Larsson is currently on her “Midnight Sun Tour,” which supports the album of the same name. The tour’s final performance is scheduled for November 2026. The tour features material from the “Midnight Sun” album alongside her earlier hits.
The controversy over the White House video has brought additional attention to both the song and the tour, though Larsson has not indicated that the incident will affect her touring plans.
| Question | What Is Known |
|---|---|
| Was “Midnight Sun” used? | Yes, according to reporting and the video itself |
| Where was it posted? | White House TikTok account |
| What did the video show? | ICE immigration-enforcement footage |
| What was the caption? | “Never ending deportations” |
| Did Larsson object? | Yes, in a three-minute TikTok |
| Did she call it dehumanizing? | Yes, according to her response |
| Was the song use legally unauthorized? | Not established by available reporting |
| Did Larsson sue? | No reported lawsuit |
| Did the White House respond? | No response identified in current reporting |
The controversy has attracted significant attention due to the combination of factors involved: an internationally known pop star, a recognizable song with thematic content about connection, an official White House social media account, and footage of immigration enforcement activity.
The story follows a pattern of similar incidents in which artists have objected to the Trump administration’s use of their music in political or immigration-related content. Larsson’s detailed, emotional response—and her direct criticism of the White House—has resonated with audiences, with her reaction video accumulating millions of views.
The incident also highlights ongoing tensions between artists and political entities over the use of creative work in contexts the creators may not support.
The audio of “Midnight Sun” has been removed from the White House TikTok post, though the video itself remains visible. No White House response to Larsson’s criticism has been reported.
Larsson has not indicated whether she plans any further action beyond her public statement. Her “Midnight Sun Tour” continues as scheduled, with performances through November 2026.
The broader pattern of artists objecting to the White House’s use of their music suggests this controversy may be part of an ongoing dynamic rather than an isolated incident.
Why is Zara Larsson criticizing the White House?
Larsson criticized the White House after her song “Midnight Sun” was used in a TikTok video featuring ICE immigration-enforcement footage with the caption “Never ending deportations.” She described the video as “dehumanizing” in a three-minute response posted to her own social media.
What song did the White House use?
The White House used Zara Larsson’s “Midnight Sun,” the title track from her 2026 album. The song peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is one of her most successful recent releases.
What is “Midnight Sun” by Zara Larsson about?
Larsson described the song as being about “feeling connected to nature, and feeling connected to the universe, and people, essentially.” She objected to the song being paired with immigration enforcement footage because she believes it creates division rather than connection.
What did the White House video show?
The 19-second video spliced together multiple clips of ICE agents and other U.S. law enforcement personnel handcuffing men and placing them into vehicles. The caption read “Never ending deportations”.
What did Zara Larsson say about the ICE video?
Larsson said she was “just sad” and that her “heart is heavy seeing that.” She described the video as “so dehumanizing” and emphasized that the people shown are “real people” who are “just trying to have a better future”.
Did Zara Larsson call the video dehumanizing?
Yes. Larsson explicitly called the video “so dehumanizing” in her response. She pointed to a man in construction clothing as an example of someone who appeared to be a regular working person.
Did the White House use Zara Larsson’s music before?
Yes. Earlier in 2026, the White House used Larsson’s song “Lush Life” in a video of President Trump dancing. Larsson subsequently expressed support for immigrants and wrote, “I f—king hate ICE”.
Is the use of “Midnight Sun” illegal?
The legal status of the use has not been established by any court or official legal determination. The available reporting does not specify whether the song was licensed or used without authorization. Artist objection alone does not establish a legal violation.
Did Zara Larsson sue the White House?
No lawsuit has been reported. Larsson’s response has been limited to public criticism on social media. No court filings related to the video have been reported.
What is Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun Tour?
The “Midnight Sun Tour” is Larsson’s current concert tour supporting her album of the same name. The tour’s final performance is scheduled for November 2026. It features material from the “Midnight Sun” album alongside her earlier hits.
Who is Zara Larsson?
Zara Larsson is a Swedish pop singer who gained international attention with “Lush Life” in 2015. She has released five studio albums and scored hits including “Never Forget You,” “Symphony,” and “Stateside.” She is known for her vocal style and pop-dance sound.