Semisonic Criticizes White House Over 'Closing Time' Use

The band Semisonic has criticized the White House for using their 1998 hit song 'Closing Time' in a video depicting the deportation of shackled immigrants without their permission. The song's lyrics were used in a social media post that showed deportees being processed by border authorities, sparking backlash from the band, which stated the song is meant to convey themes of joy and hope, not deportation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the video, asserting it reflects the administration's immigration policy, emphasizing the message, 'You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.' This incident adds Semisonic to a list of musicians who have opposed the unauthorized use of their songs by the Trump administration, including artists like Rihanna and Adele. The video was shared across several official accounts, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as part of President Trump's efforts to highlight his administration's immigration enforcement actions.