British pop singer Jess Glynne has slammed the Trump administration after learning that her 2015 chart-topper Hold My Hand was used without permission in a controversial White House meme promoting deportation flights.
Shared on Wednesday, 30 July, via the official White House account on X (formerly Twitter), the post quickly went viral for its jarring blend of upbeat music and footage of detained migrants being removed from the United States.
The clip mirrored the tone of a budget airline ad, repurposing the Jet2 holiday jingle as it showed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers escorting individuals onto aircrafts.
All the while, Glynne's voice rang out over scenes of forced removals. The caption read: 'When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. Nothing beats it!'
Meme or Mockery? White House Post Sparks Outrage
The video bore the hallmarks of social media satire, using peppy music, on-screen graphics, and exaggerated transitions to draw comparisons between mass deportations and sunny getaways.
Clips included visuals from the CBP One app, stock footage of GlobalX aircraft—an airline contracted by ICE—and even a cutaway of former President Donald Trump giving a thumbs-up.
Originally a TikTok trend, the meme format has recently become a staple of the Trump administration's increasingly meme-driven online presence.
Glynne's song, however, had not been licensed for use in the post, drawing immediate criticism from fans and fellow artists.
When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. ✈️🎶
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 29, 2025
Nothing beats it! pic.twitter.com/hlLapr9QsE
Glynne: 'This Post Honestly Makes Me Sick'
The singer responded just hours after the post began circulating. Taking to her Instagram Stories on 30 July, Glynne wrote: 'This post honestly makes me sick. My music is about love, unity, and spreading positivity—never about division or hate.'
The statement was quickly amplified by supporters, fellow musicians, and immigration rights advocates who condemned the video as offensive and dehumanising.
From Trend to Policy Tool: The Meme's Journey
Though it may have started as online satire, the meme gained official traction once it was shared through the White House's verified feed. The administration has previously come under fire for using popular music without consent in its immigration messaging.
Back in March, alternative rock band Semisonic protested the unauthorised use of their hit Closing Time in a similar deportation-themed post.
Backlash and Defence: Reactions from All Sides
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the meme, stating: 'There is nothing more unifying and positive than deporting criminal illegal aliens and making American communities safer. The memes will continue until every criminal illegal alien is removed.'
Her remarks drew even sharper criticism online, with many accusing the administration of trivialising serious human rights issues and weaponising pop culture for political gain.
The Bigger Picture: Mass Deportations and the OBBA
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the newly implemented One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping piece of legislation passed earlier this month. The act allocates more than $45 billion (£35 billion GBP) to expanding ICE operations nationwide, including funding for 100,000 detention beds, 10,000 additional deportation officers, and enhanced transport capabilities for mass removals. President Trump has vowed to deport one million undocumented individuals over the next year.
Divided Response: Creative Expression Meets Politics
Public reaction to the meme remains deeply polarised. Supporters of the Trump administration praised the video as savvy messaging, while critics—including musicians and human rights groups—labelled it tone-deaf and deeply unethical.
Glynne's rebuke has reignited broader conversations about the misuse of creative content, especially in politically charged and emotionally sensitive contexts.
Though the White House eventually deleted the original post, copies continue to circulate across social media platforms.
Jess Glynne now joins a growing chorus of artists challenging the political appropriation of their work, calling for its respectful use and urging a shift away from spectacle towards empathy.
