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Thursday 09/04/2026

Jess Glynne Condemns White House's Use of Her Song in Deportation Video

Silhouettes walking towards a plane with deportation captions
Ethan BrooksEthan Brooks

In This Article

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Jess Glynne expressed dismay over her song being used in a White House video promoting deportations, calling it "sick".
  • The viral Jet2 holiday advert, featuring Glynne's song, was used in a White House post to highlight ICE deportations.
  • Zoë Lister, the advert's voiceover actress, criticized the use of her work to support "Trump and his abhorrent policies".
  • Jet2 condemned the White House's use of their brand, emphasizing their disappointment with the association.
  • The post has sparked a mix of criticism and praise, reflecting the divisive nature of Trump's immigration policies.

The White House's recent use of a viral Jet2 holiday advert, featuring Jess Glynne's 2015 hit "Hold My Hand," to promote deportations has sparked significant controversy. The video, posted on the social media platform X, shows individuals being escorted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) onto a plane, accompanied by the upbeat tune and a voiceover from the advert. The caption read: "When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. Nothing beats it!"

Artists and Brands React

Jess Glynne, whose song is central to the advert, expressed her disapproval, stating that her music is intended to spread love and unity, not division. "I'm devastated to see my song used in this way," she told The Guardian. Zoë Lister, the voiceover actress for the advert, also voiced her discontent, saying she would never support her work being used to promote what she described as "Trump and his abhorrent policies."

Jet2, the company behind the advert, has distanced itself from the White House's post. A spokesperson for Jet2 stated, "We are very disappointed to see our brand being used to promote government policy such as this." The company had previously embraced the viral success of the advert, which has been used in over two million TikTok videos, but they do not endorse its association with political content.

Public and Political Reactions

The White House's post has drawn mixed reactions. While some Trump supporters have praised the administration's stance on immigration, others have criticized the video as "embarrassing and unprofessional." The post is part of a broader trend of the Trump administration using memes on social media, a strategy that has been both lauded and condemned.

Background on Immigration Policies

Since taking office, President Trump has intensified immigration enforcement, allocating $170 billion for border and immigration measures, including $45 billion for detention. ICE's budget is set to increase by $76.5 billion over the next five years, reflecting the administration's commitment to stringent immigration policies.

WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN

The controversy surrounding the White House's use of the Jet2 advert highlights the ongoing polarization of immigration policies in the United States. As the administration continues to employ social media strategies to communicate its agenda, the backlash from artists and brands may prompt a reevaluation of how such content is used. Legal experts suggest that the unauthorized use of music and branding in political contexts could lead to potential legal challenges. Moving forward, the administration's approach to immigration and its communication tactics will likely remain a contentious topic, influencing public opinion and political discourse.