The band Semisonic has strongly criticized the White House for using their 1998 hit song "Closing Time" in a social media video showcasing deportation activities, stating the administration completely misinterpreted the song's meaning.
The White House posted a 17-second video on Monday showing U.S. Border Patrol agents placing handcuffs on individuals and escorting them onto planes, with Semisonic's "Closing Time" playing in the background. The post was captioned with the song's lyrics "You don't have to go home but you can't stay here."
The Minneapolis rock band quickly responded through social media, expressing their disapproval: "We did not authorize or condone the White House's use of our song in any way. And no, they didn't ask," adding that "the song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely."
The song, which topped Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart, was actually written by Semisonic's frontman Dan Wilson about the birth of his daughter - a far cry from its current application in immigration enforcement messaging.
The video's release coincided with the Trump administration's announcement of invoking the Alien Enemies Act, resulting in the deportation of approximately 300 individuals allegedly connected to El Salvador's Tren de Aragua terrorist group.
Semisonic joins a growing list of musicians who have opposed the Trump administration's unauthorized use of their music, including Céline Dion, Adele, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Steven Tyler, and Neil Young.
The White House has not yet responded to the band's statement regarding the unauthorized use of their song.