Jess Glynne, the British singer-songwriter, recently expressed her distress regarding the use of her song in a controversial video shared by the White House. The video in question paired Glynne’s uplifting 2015 hit “Hold My Hand” with footage depicting deportations carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The situation elicited a strong reaction from Glynne, who took to social media to voice her discomfort, declaring she felt “sick” about the juxtaposition of her music with such a serious and polarizing issue.
The White House published this video clip on X (formerly Twitter), showing individuals in handcuffs being escorted to a GlobalX flight, reinforcing the ongoing political discourse surrounding the Biden administration’s immigration policies. Over this somber footage, the iconic Jet2 holiday advertisement featuring Glynne’s song played, accompanied by the cheery tagline “nothing beats a Jet2 holiday.” This bizarre combination has sparked outrage and criticism, particularly as Glynne’s song is popularly associated with joy and celebration, not divisiveness.
Zoe Lister, the voiceover artist behind the Jet2 advert, also spoke out against the White House’s use of the clip, stating that she would never support her voice being linked to Donald Trump or his policies, which she views as “abhorrent.” Lister acknowledged that while the Jet2 meme has spread joy across social platforms, it is in stark contrast to the message conveyed by the White House’s video. She highlighted the disconnect between the humor associated with the Jet2 meme and the serious and often tragic subject of deportation.
In her response on Instagram, Glynne emphasized that her music celebrates love, unity, and positivity, firmly distancing herself from any association with hate or division. The White House’s video, accompanied by the provocative caption “When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. Nothing beats it!” drew various reactions from the public. Some users labeled the video “embarrassing and unprofessional,” criticizing it for its perceived lack of humanity, while others supported Trump’s stringent immigration stance.
It’s worth noting that this incident isn’t the first time the Trump administration has utilized social media memes to communicate its messages. Earlier this month, a post featured Trump’s face superimposed on an image of Superman with a caption highlighting “Truth. Justice. The American Way. Superman Trump.” Such posts have led to further scrutiny regarding the appropriateness of political figures leveraging popular culture for their agendas.
The administration has committed significant funding toward immigration enforcement, further complicating the discussions surrounding the video. With a proposed budget of $170 billion allocated for border enforcement, including substantial investments in detention facilities, the tension between immigration policy and the satirical use of memes intensifies.
Glynne’s song became viral in the context of the Jet2holiday advertisement and has since been used in over two million videos on TikTok, often in lighthearted and humorous contexts. As a meme, it has provided laughter with videos showcasing chaotic holiday experiences. Nonetheless, both Glynne and Lister have expressed disapproval of the track being co-opted for serious political messaging, as Lister stated so accurately, “That’s just not the vibe.” Their sentiments reflect a broader concern among artists regarding the responsibility of their work and the potential for it to be manipulated in ways that may not align with their intended message.
As this discussion unfolds, it highlights the complex intersection of art, politics, and social media, prompting vital conversations about appropriateness, the powerful impact of music, and the importance of remaining sensitive to the meanings that various messages convey. The implications of using joyous expressions in serious contexts warrant consideration from both the entertainment industry and political institutions, urging greater reflection on how songs, memes, and messages contribute to the broader cultural landscape.
