Members of rock band Semisonic said the White House “missed the point” of its hit single “Closing Time” after it was used in a viral video showcasing a shackled illegal immigrant being deported.
“We did not authorize or condone the White House’s use of our song in any way,” band members wrote on X. “And no, they didn’t ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely.”
The White House video was posted across social media and shows a tattooed illegal immigrant being patted down by agents before being removed from the country.
You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 17, 2025
Semisonic’s famous 1998 lyrics: “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” score the scene.
“I think the White House and our entire government, clearly, is leaning into the message of this president, and we are unafraid to double down and to take responsibility and ownership of the serious decisions that are being made,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said when asked about the video.
“I think it sums up our immigration policy pretty well: ‘You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.’”
When it was released, “Closing Time” reached No. 4 on the Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart and received a Grammy nomination for best rock song.
Despite the criticism from Semisonic, many on social media disagreed with the Minneapolis trio’s backlash.
“They’re HUGE mad that Trump took their song, because it’s their only good one!” one X user posted.
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“The White House posting videos of illegals getting deported set to a classic 90s hit single is the video I didn’t know I needed,” one post declared.
“Who would have thought we would be seeing this again three years ago?” another user commented. “I love it and they couldn’t have picked a better song to go with it.”
