Olivia Rodrigo Criticizes Donald Trump Administration for Picking Fights With Pop Stars

Olivia Rodrigo told NPR in an interview published Thursday (Sept. 3) that she believes the Donald Trump administration uses disputes with famous musicians as a distraction tactic.

During the interview with the independent media organization, the singer addressed an incident from November when the Department of Homeland Security paired her song “All-American Bitch” with a video promoting immigration enforcement raids. At the time, Rodrigo posted that the White House and DHS should not use her songs to promote racist and hateful propaganda.

Reflecting on the event, Rodrigo said it was awful to see a track about being trapped in a misogynistic box paired with cruel scenes of ICE raids.

Looking back, she considers it a tool used by the Trump administration, stating that picking fights with pop stars provides a distraction while they carry out other harmful actions.

When reached for comment on Thursday, the DHS told Billboard that America is grateful for federal law enforcement officers who keep the country safe and suggested that Rodrigo thank them for their service rather than belittle their sacrifice. The statement matched the response the agency gave Billboard in March following a previous instance of the singer criticizing ICE.

Rodrigo is not the first artist to suggest that the conservative administration uses music by liberal musicians like Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande to divert attention. After the White House used her song “Big Boy” in a clip, SZA wrote on X that the administration engages in rage baiting artists for free promotion.

The DHS previously acknowledged picking disputes with celebrities for similar purposes. An official told Variety in November, following protests over the use of Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” in a TikTok video, that the video was made because they knew media brands would amplify it.

Rodrigo spoke to NPR five days after the conclusion of her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival, which raised $20 million for charities supporting women and girls, with half of the total coming from Melinda French Gates matching the initial donation. On Thursday, the Grammy winner also appeared on a digital cover of Rolling Stone alongside Chappell Roan, Doechii, and Sarah McLachlan, all of whom performed at the festival.

Rodrigo explained to the publication that people who want to suppress others rely on them feeling overwhelmed and alone, making an event that cultivates a community of hope and togetherness powerful.