Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo expressed her opinion on the Trump administration on Oct. 7 after they posted a video that used her song “All-American Bitch.”
The Instagram video promoted U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement services with the background playing Rodrigo’s song. The caption said, “Leave now and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don’t, you will face the consequences.”
Rodrigo saw the video and commented, “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.” The comment was removed shortly after.
Instagram now indicates that the audio is “unavailable” for the post. Many fans speculate that Rodrigo herself found a way to block them from using it.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement about Rodrigo’s statement. “America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe,” a DHS spokesperson said. “We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”
Rodrigo has been vocal against the Trump administration before this incident. Earlier this year, she posted a story on Instagram about her opinion on the ICE raids in Los Angeles. “I’ve lived in LA my whole life and I’m deeply upset about these violent deportations of my neighbors under the current administration,” she wrote. “I stand with the beautiful, diverse, community of Los Angeles and with immigrants all across America.”
Rodrigo is of Filipino descent and said her great-grandfather immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager. She went to the Philippines for the first time during her GUTS World Tour and expressed her appreciation.
“I’m so proud of my Filipino heritage, so being able to bring this experience to the Philippines means the world to me,” Rodrigo said in an interview.
In 2024, she showed support for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign and visited the White House during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press conference at the White House, Rodrigo expressed her admiration for former President Joe Biden and encouraged people to get vaccinated.
“I am beyond honored and humbled to be here today to help spread the message about the importance of youth vaccination,” Rodrigo said.
A main political fight for Rodrigo has been for women’s reproductive rights. During her GUTS World Tour, Rodrigo chose to donate part of the ticket revenues to her global initiative, Fund 4 Good. The money goes toward supporting women’s education and reproductive rights.
In an interview with Billboard, she shared why the fund is important to her. “Being on tour [so soon] after Roe v. Wade got overturned made activism very important — especially considering I performed in many states that currently have abortion bans in place,” Rodrigo said.
The three-time Grammy award winner also shared her view on the situation happening in Gaza. In July, she posted an Instagram story that said, “There is no child in Israel, Palestine or anywhere in the world who deserves to suffer through what we’re seeing these children have to endure. It is horrific and completely unacceptable. To give up on them is to give up on our shared humanity.”
USA Today reached out to Rodrigo’s team but has yet to receive any comment about her response to the Instagram post. Only time will tell if the artist chooses to continue sharing her opinion on social media and fight for what she believes in.
