Back in March 1998, the rock band Semisonic released their hit song “Closing Time.” Unknown at the time, but the song would go on to become a classic hit for the band. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and even landed on charts in places like New Zealand, Ireland, and Australia. And over the decades that followed, “Closing Time” continued to gain traction. But recently, Semisonic criticized the use of the song when the White House used it to celebrate the deportation of undocumented immigrants.
Videos by American Songwriter
In a now-viral video, immigrants are shown boarding a plane in handcuffs. The video featured “Closing Time.” Gaining nearly 9 million views in less than 24 hours, the video eventually made its way to Semisonic.
🎶You don't have to go home but you can't stay here🎶 @CBP pic.twitter.com/yWWhlvKQrb
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 17, 2025
Not thrilled over the use of the band’s iconic song, Semisonic released a crushing statement to Rolling Stone, reading, “We did not authorize or condone the White House’s use of our song in any way.” The statement continued, “And no, they didn’t ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely.”
[RELATED: Meet the Songwriter Behind Semisonic’s Last Call Anthem, “Closing Time”]
Semisonic Not The First To Take Aim at Unauthorized Use of Songs
While Semisonic criticized the Trump administration for using their song, it isn’t the first time the government received backlash from a band or singer. Back in August 2024, Celine Dion took issue with the use of “My Heart Will Go On” during a Trump rally in Montana.
Releasing a statement on Twitter, Dion’s team declared, “Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go On” at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana.”
Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go On” at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign… pic.twitter.com/28CYLFvgER
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) August 10, 2024
Somewhat confused by Trump’s use of the song, Dion ended the statement with, “In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use. …And really, THAT song?”
(Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
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