Zara Larsson Condemns White House Use of Her Song in ICE Video

The White House used Swedish pop star Zara Larsson's song "Midnight Sun" in a TikTok video showcasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arresting and deporting people, prompting Larsson to publicly condemn the clip as dehumanizing. The video, posted on September 16, 2026, included the caption "Never ending deportations," a play on the song's lyrics. Larsson responded in her own TikTok video, expressing sadness and criticizing the use of her music. She said, "I'm just sad. My heart is heavy seeing that," and wished she could speak to the video's creator to remind them that people are not fundamentally different. "The biggest difference between us is that we were dealt a different hand in life," she added. The singer highlighted her own fortunate upbringing in Sweden, with access to healthcare and education, contrasting it with the circumstances of those in the video. "I consider myself so lucky with the life that I've been dealt," Larsson said, noting that many undocumented immigrants are simply seeking better lives for their families. She pointed to a man in construction clothing in the footage as an example of someone just working and trying to have a better future.