Grammy-winning pop star Olivia Rodrigo has erupted at President Donald Trump’s administration, accusing it of “picking fights with pop stars” after federal immigration authorities used one of her songs in a video.

Her criticism centered on footage released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as reported by Breitbart.

Asked by NPR about the agency’s use of her music, Rodrigo described the move as a “distraction” tactic.

She said it was awful to see a song she wrote about women feeling trapped in a misogynistic box paired with scenes of ICE raids that she condemned.

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The “Good 4 U” singer wrote the song to express the feeling of being trapped by expectations placed upon women.

Rodrigo objected when ICE placed that music alongside enforcement footage she characterized as grotesque and cruel.

 

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When the ICE video was initially released, Rodrigo responded by lashing out at the Department of Homeland Security.

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Her objection focused on the department using one of her songs in a video dealing with deportations.

Pop singer Olivia Rodrigo denounces ICE's deportation of murderers, rapists, and child abusers: Los Angeles "simply wouldn't exist without immigrants" pic.twitter.com/Xu3TdP4KZt

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) June 16, 2025

Looking back on the episode, the “Vampire” singer now says she believes the entire matter was intended to divert public attention.

She framed the administration’s willingness to engage with famous singers as a way to distract from its other actions.

“Picking fights with pop stars is a great distraction,” Rodrigo told NPR. Her comment directly accused the Trump administration of using public clashes with entertainers as a diversion.

Rodrigo then sharpened her attack on the administration and its conduct. “You know, while they do kind of other really awful, awful things,” she said.

The Department of Homeland Security offered its own pointed response to Rodrigo’s criticism.

Rather than accepting her objections, the department defended the federal officers featured in the broader immigration enforcement dispute.

“America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe,” DHS told Billboard.

The department also suggested that “Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”

Rodrigo is not the only pop singer who has complained about the Trump administration using music in its videos.

Other prominent performers have also reacted angrily when their songs appeared with immigration enforcement footage.

Last year, Sabrina Carpenter erupted at the White House after one of her songs was used in an ICE video. Carpenter called the agency “inhuman” as well as “evil and disgusting.”

That attack was directed at the agency, not the criminals, rapists, and murderers ICE is arresting for deportation.

Carpenter’s furious response placed her among the pop stars publicly objecting to the administration’s use of their music.

Ariana Grande also entered the dispute in June after reacting to a TikTok reel that showed border agents placing illegals in handcuffs. Her 2024 hit, “Bye,” was used as the soundtrack for that footage.

Grande demanded that the Trump administration cease and desist from using the song. She also called the enforcement of U.S. law “barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense.”

Rodrigo’s political involvement has extended beyond criticizing the administration over its use of her music.

Last month, she helped raise $20 million for Planned Parenthood and other left-wing groups through the Daisy Chain Fields Festival.

The festival was newly launched when it generated that fundraising total.

Against that backdrop, Rodrigo’s latest comments to NPR continued her criticism of the Trump administration while portraying its clashes with pop stars as deliberate distractions.

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