The White House used Semisonic’s song without authorization for a video about deported immigrants

The alternative rock band Semisonic expressed their outrage after the White House used their iconic song “Closing Time” in a video about deportations without prior authorization.

The video, shared on social media, shows handcuffed immigrants being escorted by border agents while the phrase "You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here" plays.

“We do not authorize or approve the use of our song”: Semisonic’s vocalist

The singer and songwriter Dan Wilson did not take long to react, pointing out that the message of the video completely distorts the meaning of the song. “Closing Time,” released in 1998, was written as a metaphor for the birth of his daughter and over the years has become an anthem for farewells in bars and nighttime events.

Through a statement published in media outlets such as Variety and Rolling Stone, the band made their position clear: “We do not authorize or approve the use of our song by the White House. And no, they did not ask for permission. ‘Closing Time’ represents joy, possibilities, and hope. They completely missed the point”.

This incident is not an isolated case. In recent years, several artists have reported the unauthorized use of their music in political contexts. Jack White and Meg White, for example, sued Donald Trump’s team in 2024 for using “Seven Nation Army” without permission in a promotional publication.

Likewise, figures such as Céline Dion, Foo Fighters, and Johnny Marr have banned the use of their songs in political campaigns.

The controversy has reopened the debate about the use of songs for governmental or electoral purposes without the creators' consent. While the White House remains silent on the incident, the band Semisonic has made it clear that their music will not be used to justify deportation measures.