Olivia Rodrigo Criticizes Trump Administration for Targeting Pop Stars

<figure><img alt="U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 21, 2026." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/DDFZDWQVTFFWBLT2GWT7YWA24U.JPG?auth=1bafb4f2e3dc65c3aa357fb774d22d2668b606b84280ce1f477edecebf03b591&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3291&amp;height=1851" /><figcaption>Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters</figcaption></figure><p>Grammy-winning pop star Olivia Rodrigo, 23, has criticized the Trump administration for “picking fights with pop stars.”</p><p>Rodrigo stated on NPR, “I think that’s sort of a little bit of a tool they use. Picking fights with pop stars is a great distraction while they do other awful, awful things.”</p><p>In November, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used Rodrigo's 2023 hit “All-American B---h” in a social media video promoting self-deportations among undocumented immigrants, captioned, “LEAVE NOW and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don’t, you will face the consequences.”</p><img alt="DHS used Olivia Rodrigo’s song “All-American B---h” in a video promoting self-deportation without Rodrigo's permission. / Instagram/@dhsgov" height="1114" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/JX7UJRV55NA4ROAXGN6KBSQ2GQ.png?auth=0a8bbca3c3bcb3e57812b5ac545ba736c63e76401e022d06a62bdfdf0a04f2df&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1336&amp;height=1114" width="1336" /><p>Rodrigo later wrote in a deleted comment, “don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”</p><p>She has also described the Trump administration as “barbaric and cruel” and has advocated for immigrants’ rights on social media. In response to her comment, a DHS spokesperson referenced lyrics from “All-American B---h,” stating, “America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”</p><p>The DHS video remains on social media, but without the song.</p><p>Rodrigo expressed her discontent, saying, “Oh my God, it was just awful to see a song that I wrote about feeling trapped in a misogynistic box that we put women in—seeing that song being put to these grotesque, cruel scenes of ICE raids. It was awful.”</p><p>Rodrigo is among several artists, including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Céline Dion, who have spoken out after the White House used their songs without permission. The DHS has acknowledged using material from opposing celebrities to generate media backlash and to “amplify” its messages.</p><img alt="Olivia Rodrigo performs during the Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival at Great Park in Irvine, California, U.S., August 29, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni / Mario Anzuoni / REUTERS" height="3667" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/RWXKYMJKS5AI3JQOQZOY7KHZUQ.JPG?auth=1936dcead24d47cf3c83ada68abb4c9848e881d342185f0c24c8ff43d6b6dedf&amp;smart=true&amp;width=5500&amp;height=3667" width="5500" /><p>To counter the Trump administration’s actions, Rodrigo organized the Daisy Chain Fields music festival on August 29 in Irvine, California, featuring an all-women lineup including Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan, Chappell Roan, and Doechii. The festival raised $20 million for ten organizations supporting women and girls.</p><p>Rodrigo stated, “I think that the people who want to keep us down are really relying on us feeling alone and overwhelmed. And I think the antidote to that is joy and community.”</p>