huffpost Press
Radiohead Tells Trump Admin ‘Go F**k Yourselves’ After ICE Uses Beloved Song
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Radiohead is calling out President Donald Trump’s administration after Immigration and Customs Enforcement used a version of a song the band said “means a lot” to them and their fans. The message by ICE, posted Feb. 18 and pinned to the top of its X feed, decried “criminal illegal alien violence” as it showed images of what it described as victims. The video was set to a choral version of “Let Down,” from the band’s landmark 1997 album “OK Computer.” “This is who we fight for,” the agency wrote. “This is our why.” Radiohead made it clear that the song was used without permission. The band released a statement cited by Variety and a number of other outlets: “We demand that the amateurs in control of the ICE social media account take it down. It ain’t funny, this song means a lot to us and other people, and you don’t get to appropriate it without a fight. Also, go fuck yourselves… Radiohead.” The band’s PR agency slammed ICE for using the song in a “propaganda” video, NBC News reported. ICE, in its post, claimed that it was working for “American citizens raped and murdered by those who have no right to be in our country.” However, CBS News reported last month that 40% of those arrested by ICE during Trump’s first year had no criminal record, while 14% faced accusations of or had convictions for violent offenses. Separately, Reuters found that at least 30 people detained by the agency last year died while in custody, the highest level in decades. In addition, dozens of U.S. citizens have been detained, according to ProPublica. And at least two Americans ― Renee Good and Alex Pretti ― were shot and killed by federal immigration agents earlier this year. Radiohead joins a long and growing list of artists speaking out against the Trump administration, including Bruce Springsteen, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, Jack White, Olivia Rodrigo, Neil Young and more. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.