Story perspectives

White House Keeps Zara Larsson Song in ICE TikTok

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 10:47 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Song removed video stays

In September 2026, the White House posted a TikTok video pairing Zara Larsson’s song “Midnight Sun” with ICE detention footage, captioned “Never ending deportations.”
After Larsson criticized the post, the White House removed her song but left the video on its TikTok feed.
Larsson’s three-minute response video has amassed over 4.2 million TikTok views.
The BBC was contacted for comment on the White House’s use of the song.

Left

Condemnation of Exploitation

September 2026, the White House posted a TikTok video pairing Zara Larsson’s song “Midnight Sun” with ICE detention footage, captioned “Never ending deportations.”
Coverage highlighted the video’s dehumanizing portrayal of undocumented migrants, and Larsson condemned the exploitation as a violation of their dignity.
Larsson said she felt sad, heart heavy, and wanted to speak to the video’s creators.
She noted she was lucky to be born in Sweden, unlike many undocumented migrants.

Blindspot

Zara Larsson said the White House video was dehumanizing and noted that the individuals shown are real workers, including a construction-wearing person.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

1 of 3

Song removed video stays

In September 2026, the White House posted a TikTok video pairing Zara Larsson’s song “Midnight Sun” with ICE detention footage, captioned “Never ending deportations.”
After Larsson criticized the post, the White House removed her song but left the video on its TikTok feed.
Larsson’s three-minute response video has amassed over 4.2 million TikTok views.
The BBC was contacted for comment on the White House’s use of the song.

1 / 3