The rock band Semisonic has publicly condemned the White House for using their 1998 hit song “Closing Time” in a recent social media video promoting deportation efforts. The video, shared on official channels, depicts U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents processing and deporting individuals, accompanied by the song’s lyrics, “Closing time, you don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.”
In a statement, Semisonic expressed their disapproval, stating they neither authorized nor condoned the use of their song in this context. They emphasized that “Closing Time” is intended to convey themes of joy, possibilities, and hope, suggesting that the administration misinterpreted its meaning.
Despite the backlash, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the video’s message, asserting that it aligns with the administration’s immigration policies. She remarked that the video “sums up our immigration policy pretty well: You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”
This incident adds Semisonic to a growing list of artists who have objected to the unauthorized use of their music by political figures or organizations. Notably, artists such as Céline Dion, Adele, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Steven Tyler, and Neil Young have previously opposed the use of their songs in political contexts without permission.
