Semisonic Condemns White House for Using ‘Closing Time’ in Deportation Video

Semisonic criticizes the Trump administration for using their song in a deportation video.

The band Semisonic has denounced the Trump administration for using their 1998 hit Closing Time in a White House social media post about deportations. The video featured a handcuffed man being searched at an airport while the song’s lyrics, “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” played in the background.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency retweeted the post, adding: “It’s closing time. We are making America safe again.” However, Semisonic quickly responded, criticizing the video and its message.

“We did not authorize or condone the White House’s use of Closing Time in any way,” the band wrote on Facebook. “And no, they didn’t ask. The song is about joy, possibilities, and hope—they have missed the point entirely.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post, stating on Monday that “our entire government clearly is leaning into the message of this president.”

Closing Time, a Grammy-nominated track from the band’s album Feeling Strangely Fine, was a commercial success, peaking at No. 43 on the Billboard 200.

Semisonic joins a long list of artists who have objected to the Trump administration’s unauthorized use of their music. Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Phil Collins, and Céline Dion have all spoken out against similar incidents. In some cases, artists like Steven Tyler and Neil Young have even issued cease-and-desist letters.

This latest controversy highlights ongoing tensions between musicians and political figures over the unauthorized use of music to push partisan messages.