Jess Glynne Criticizes White House for Using Viral Jet2 Holiday Sound in Deportation Meme: “Makes Me Sick”
Jess Glynne, the British singer behind the “Hold My Hand” song used in the viral Jet2 holiday meme sound, is responding to the White House’s use of the audio to poke fun at ongoing mass deportations in the U.S.
On Tuesday, the White House’s official X account shared a video that seemingly showcases immigrants being deported from the United States. The popular Jet2 holiday meme is typically used to parody something unfortunate happening, and it was used on the White House’s video with a caption that mirrored that of the voiceover from the meme.
“When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation, the White House wrote on X. “Nothing beats it!”
The “Rather Be” singer reacted to the social post on Wednesday, disapproving of the administration’s use of her song that she says was intended to spread positivity.
“This honestly makes me sick,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “My music is about love, unity and spreading positivity — never about division or hate.”
Glynne is far from the first artist to publicly condemn the Trump administration for using their music. In March, rock band Semisonic similarly criticized the White House and Border Patrol’s joint post of a man in handcuffs, accompanied by their song “Closing Time.” The video was captioned, “You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.”
“We did not authorize or condone the White House’s use of our song in any way. And no, they didn’t ask,” Semisonic said in a statement to the Associated Press. “The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely.”
During Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, many musical acts disputed the Republican ticket’s use of their music, including Jack White, Sinéad O’Connor, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, ABBA and Beyoncé.
