White House mocks Zara Larsson by using her song 'Lush Life' in TikTok following ICE criticism

The White House has ignited backlash and debate online after posting a TikTok video using Zara Larsson’s hit song “Lush Life,” a move being interpreted as a response to the singer’s recent and highly critical comments about US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Days after Larsson's criticism, the White House TikTok appeared using “Lush Life” as background music to an edit of President Donald Trump.

The White House quoted the edit with: "We love America first. We love deportations. We love cheap gas prices. We love a secure border. We love world peace. We love law and order. We love work not welfare. We LOVE ICE and our law enforcement". The TikTok is clearly a rebuttal to Larsson's criticism of ICE and the American state.

The social media post comes shortly after Larsson made a series of outspoken statements condemning ICE and voicing support for immigrants, trans people and marginalized communities. In a widely shared message, the singer wrote, “I love immigrants, I love trans people, I love welfare, I love criminals".

In her posts, Larsson openly criticised ICE agents and the broader immigration system, writing, “Fuck ICE,” while urging people to “support your community” and “love thy neighbour.”

She framed her remarks as both political and personal, suggesting that fear and ideology drive enforcement culture. “The people who need the most love is the evil clowns,” she wrote, adding that those enforcing harsh immigration policies are “soooooooo frightened and really, really dumb… That’s a dangerous combination".

Photo: Instagram @zaralarsson

The singer also pushed back against criticism she received for expressing sympathy toward people with criminal records. Addressing messages in her DMs, Larsson explained that her longtime partner has been unable to enter the United States because of a past, non-violent drug offense.

Larsson argued that immigration enforcement disproportionately harms marginalized communities, writing that “thousands and thousands of people go to jail and prison over non-violent crimes like drugs, mostly black and brown people,” while condemning what she described as systemic injustice.

She concluded one post by saying she would “rather have someone smoking crack on my couch than a fucking ICE agent,” adding, “They’re criminals too. Killing, kidnapping, violent, hateful ones.”