British singer Jess Glynne has strongly condemned the White House for using her 2015 hit single Hold My Hand in a controversial social media video promoting deportations. The viral clip, posted on X, features footage of handcuffed individuals being escorted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers onto a plane, with Jet2holidays’ now-iconic advert soundtrack playing over it. The voiceover cheerily states, “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday,” which has been widely used in lighthearted TikTok memes.
Glynne took to Instagram to express her outrage, saying the unauthorized use of her music in such a context made her feel “sick.” She emphasized that her music is intended to spread “love, unity, and positivity not division or hate.”
The ad’s voiceover actress, Zoe Lister, also spoke out, saying she would “never condone” her voice being used to promote what she called “Trump and his abhorrent policies.” She noted that the original meme has brought humor and joy, but the White House’s appropriation of it is “not the vibe.”
The post, captioned “When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. Nothing beats it!” sparked backlash online. Critics called the clip “unprofessional” and lacking in “humanity.” Meanwhile, Trump supporters praised it as a bold stance on immigration. The meme-style video is part of a broader trend by the Trump administration of using internet humor in political messaging, including previous posts featuring the president’s face on Superman’s body.
This isn’t the first time artists have clashed with Trump over the use of their work. Music from ABBA, Sinéad O’Connor, Adele, and Aerosmith has all been used at rallies or in videos without approval, prompting public denouncements and legal threats.
While Jet2holidays has not yet commented, both Glynne and Lister are united in their disapproval. What began as a fun, viral travel meme has taken a dark political turn highlighting the growing tension between pop culture and political propaganda.
