Olivia Rodrigo accuses Trump administration of using pop star conflicts as distraction

Singer Olivia Rodrigo has accused the Trump administration of using conflicts with pop stars as a “distraction” from other controversial government actions. In an interview with NPR, Rodrigo addressed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) using her song “All-American Bitch” in a video promoting immigration enforcement operations.

Rodrigo expressed distress over the use of the track, noting that the song was written about the struggle against misogynistic societal constraints, making its association with immigration raids “horrible” and “cruel.” She suggested that provoking arguments with high-profile artists serves as a smokescreen for the administration’s broader policies.

The DHS responded to the criticism by stating that the United States is “always grateful to our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe” and suggested that Rodrigo should show appreciation for their service rather than disparaging it. This follows a pattern of the administration using music from liberal-leaning artists, such as Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, which has led to similar accusations of using celebrity friction to drive engagement and divert public attention.