The group Semisonic is objecting to the use of their song “Closing Time” in a White House video on deportations that was posted to the Trump administration’s social media accounts.
“We did not authorize or condone the White House’s use of our song ‘Closing Time’ in any way, the group said in a statement. “And no, they didn’t ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely.”
A White House spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.
The song was used as a track for a video in which deportees are shown being cuffed to belt chains and then loaded into a departing flight.
Semisonic is just the latest music group to object to their songs being used for political purposes or at rallies by Trump and his team. During the campaign, Beyoncé and Foo Fighters were among the groups that objected to the use. It’s unclear what kind of license, if any, the White House had to use the work.
This afternoon, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg is having a hearing on the administration’s decision to move ahead with a flight of alleged Venezuelan gang members even though he ordered the deportations to be stopped.
