Semisonic Objects to White House Video Use

The Minneapolis band Semisonic has objected to the unauthorized use of their 1998 hit song 'Closing Time' in a deportation video posted by the White House and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The video, which shows shackled deportees being processed and loaded onto planes, uses the song's lyrics 'you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here' to underline the administration's immigration policy. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has defended the video, stating it aligns with President Trump's mandate to enforce strict immigration policies. Semisonic criticized the use, arguing the song is about joy and hope, not deportation. This incident is part of a broader trend of musicians opposing the use of their music in political contexts without permission. The video has sparked controversy amidst ongoing deportation actions, including a recent order blocking deportations that was defied with flights already underway.