Zara Larsson Condemns Trump Admin for Exploiting 'Midnight Sun' in Dehumanizing ICE Video

When Art Becomes Weapon

Let's talk about a very specific kind of cultural vandalism that's become all too common in recent years: the politicization of music. Not just any music—popular music, often created with heart and soul, repurposed for the cold machinery of political messaging.

Enter Zara Larsson, the Swedish pop sensation whose song “Midnight Sun” has now been weaponized by the Trump administration in a TikTok video featuring ICE agents. It's not just a misuse of art—it's a misrepresentation of humanity itself.

"You guys are such fucking losers, like it's crazy,"

Zara Larsson said in a blistering TikTok response.

The Dehumanizing Effect

Larsson's reaction was immediate and visceral. In her video response, she addressed the video's creators directly, calling out their choice to use her song—originally about connection, nature, and universal feeling—as a backdrop for a story of deportation and arrest.

"I'm just sad," she said. "My heart is heavy seeing that... I wish I could talk to you, and I wish I could help you remember that you and I, we aren't that different at all."

This isn't just about one song. It's a broader critique of how political narratives can strip people of their dignity and humanity, reducing complex lives to easily digestible clips with a catchy soundtrack.

Bad Blood Between Art and Politics

The use of Larsson's music is part of an unfortunate tradition. Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter have all faced similar situations where their work was co-opted by the Trump administration in politically charged content. It's a sad commentary on how the line between art and propaganda can become blurred—sometimes with devastating consequences.

But here's the kicker: Larsson is not just another artist who gets dragged into this cycle. She's a global icon with a strong voice, and she's using her platform to call out what's happening in a way that feels personal, emotional, and deeply human.

A Song With Substance

It's worth noting that “Midnight Sun”, the track in question, was never meant to be used for such purposes. The song speaks of universal connections, of feeling part of something bigger, of seeing beauty in nature and people. To juxtapose that with clips of deportation is not only jarring—it's a betrayal.

"This video is so dehumanizing," Larsson said. "These people in the video are real people... I just don't get it. It's so fucking uncool."

She's absolutely right. There's a stark difference between using a song to celebrate life and using one to dehumanize others.

The Memeification of Humanity

One of the most chilling aspects of this situation is how political content is being “meme-ified,” turned into something that's easy to share, comment on, and forget about. The Midnight Sun video has been used in a way that reduces human suffering to a viral moment—something to be laughed at or dismissed.

But Larsson isn't laughing. She's heartbroken. And that's what makes her response so powerful. In an age where everything feels performative, she's choosing to be raw, real, and deeply human.

Cultural Commentary: A Necessary Response

This moment calls for more than just a response—it calls for a reckoning. Artists are not just entertainers; they're storytellers, cultural commentators, and emotional mirrors. When their work is used to spread fear or hatred, it's a direct attack on the soul of creativity itself.

As I've often said in my columns, music has always been political, whether we want it to be or not. But when it's used to dehumanize, to divide, to silence, it crosses a line that can't be uncrossed.

What's Next?

We're seeing more and more artists speak out against this kind of exploitation—Larsson is just the latest in a long line of voices demanding better. It's up to us as consumers, critics, and cultural observers to pay attention when these moments happen, not just to call them out but to support the artists who refuse to let their art be weaponized.

The next time someone tries to use your favorite song for political purposes that strip away dignity and humanity, remember: you're not just listening to music—you're participating in a culture. And sometimes, it's up to us to say no.