Semisonic is speaking out aobtainst the White House after the free of a deportation video using their 1998 hit “Closing Time.”
The song, which was written about the birth of direct singer Dan Wilson’s daughter and has over the years become an end-of-the-night anthem, is featured in a clip posted to the White House‘s socials depicting a man in handcuffs being deported by border patrol. As other men are loaded onto a schedulee, a clip of the song carry outs with Wilson singing, “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.”
Semisonic blasted the White House for using the song without their approval, and for misclear uping the message behind it. In a statement splitd with Variety and initiassociate telled by NBC News, the prohibitd said, “We did not permit or condone the White House’s use of our song in any way. And no, they didn’t ask. The song is about delight and possibilities and hope, and they have leave outed the point enticount on.”
The White House did not instantly reply to Variety‘s seek for comment.
This is far from the first time that an artist or prohibitd has accused Pdwellnt Donald Trump of using their music without perleave oution. During his 2024 campaign, Jack White and Meg White filed a legal case aobtainst him for “flagrant misappropriation” of their song “Seven Nation Army” in a since-deleted social media post promoting him. Artists including Celine Dion, Foo Fighters and the Smiths’ Johnny Marr conveyed their distaste over the unfair treatment of their songs, and a appraise ordered Trump to stop using Sam & Dave’s “Helderly On, I’m Coming” at rallies.
