RM White House responds after Sabrina Carpenter criticizes “evil and disgusting” video. Singer condemns use of her viral track as public calls grow for legal action
The White House’s social media presence is once again stirring controversy — and not for reasons related to policy updates or presidential announcements. Instead of focusing on government priorities, critics say the team behind President Donald Trump’s online image seems more interested in producing gimmicky posts.
Following Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency cutbacks, which eliminated thousands of federal jobs in an effort to reduce spending, concerns have grown that the administration’s digital staff is treating the official channels as a playground. Earlier this month, the White House drew ridicule for a May 4 post that appeared to portray the President as a Star Wars villain. Now, the team is under fire again for jumping on the viral Jet2 trend.
For anyone unfamiliar, the Jet2 meme took over TikTok after users began overlaying narration from the British airline’s “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” commercial onto awkward holiday clips. Voiceover artist Zoe Lister has become a breakout star from the trend, and even Jeff Goldblum shared his own playful version titled “Nothing beats a Jeff2 holiday.”
The trend also frequently features Jess Glynne’s hit “Hold My Hand.” But after the White House used the format to mock immigration enforcement, the singer pushed back angrily.
The contentious video showed ICE agents escorting undocumented individuals onto a GlobalX deportation flight, accompanied by the caption: “When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. Nothing beats it.”
Glynne condemned the post on Instagram, writing: “This honestly makes me sick. My music is about love, unity, and positivity — never division or hate.”
Lister also reacted, asking: “What can be done about the White House using Jet2’s sound and my voiceover to promote their nasty agenda?”
Reactions to the post ranged from disgust to reluctant amusement. Some users tagged Jet2 to ask how the company felt about the association, while others sarcastically commented, “Totally normal government behavior.” One viral reply with over 81,000 likes read: “Jet2 should sue the White House and I’m not even joking.”
Despite the widespread criticism and public objections from both artists involved, the White House has left the video online.
The uproar comes amid President Trump’s push for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocates $170 billion to border control efforts. Of that amount, $45 billion would support detention operations, dramatically increasing ICE funding — projected to rise by $76.5 billion over the next five years, reaching nearly ten times its current annual budget.
