The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has removed a recruitment video after the band MGMT demanded its takedown. The video used the band’s 2017 hit “Little Dark Age” without permission to promote Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The video, shared on DHS social media on October 23, showed federal agents detaining protesters outside an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon. It was captioned: “End of the Dark Age, beginning of the Golden Age.” MGMT described the use of their music as “propaganda” and issued a takedown request via Instagram.
Following the complaint, DHS removed the video from its X account. Versions without the song continued to circulate on other platforms. MGMT said the track, the title song of their 2018 album, was inspired by Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory. Fans criticized the DHS post, highlighting the irony of using a song about a “dark age” for government messaging.
According to a 2021 UK report, “Little Dark Age” has been widely used by far-right creators online, including on TikTok. DHS has previously faced criticism for using copyrighted music without permission, including tracks by The Cure and Jay-Z.
MGMT’s intervention reflects a growing trend of artists challenging the political or governmental use of their music.
Follow on Google News
