News | Entertainment
13 Feb 2026 0:59
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Donald Trump's administration has been slammed by the band Semisonic for using their hit song 'Closing Time' in a controversial deportation video shared on social media

    The White House and Border Patrol's official Instagram accounts posted a video showing agents searching undocumented immigrants before deportation, set to the group's 1998 track


    Their post was captioned with lyrics from the song, reading: "'You don't have to go home but you can't stay here' @borderpatrol."

    Minneapolis-based band Semisonic has now responded to the use of their music in a statement to DailyMail.com.

    They said: "We did not authorise or condone the White House's use of our song in any way. And no, they didn't ask.

    "The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely."

    The track was written by frontman Dan Wilson, 63, who has previously spoken about its meaning.

    In a 2018 interview with Billboard, the musician explained 'Closing Time' was partially inspired by the birth of his daughter, Coco.

    He said: "The guys wanted a new song to close our sets with. I thought 'Closing Time' would be a good title.

    "We had spent seven years of our lives at that point, four nights a week entertaining people. That was our life.

    Some bouncers yelling things, closing time coming, all that imagery - literally, that's how the song started.

    "And then when I was halfway done, I started realising the whole thing was a pun about being born, so I just made sure that the rest of the thing could ride with that double meaning. But nobody got the joke and I didn't bother to explain. I thought everyone would get it."

    Dan has continued a successful career in songwriting and co-wrote the Grammy Award-winning 2011 Adele track 'Someone Like You'.

    'Closing Time' became a major hit in the late 1990s, reaching number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and charting in the top 50 in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     12 Feb: Jake Paul claims his criticism of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show was "misinterpreted"
     12 Feb: Teddi Mellencamp has encouraged her social media followers to "get checked" for cancer
     12 Feb: Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes "still love each other" despite their break-up
     12 Feb: Catherine O'Hara died after suffering from a pulmonary embolism
     12 Feb: Steven Spielberg is convinced "there is life off this planet"
     12 Feb: King Charles is profoundly concerned by allegations relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's "conduct"
     12 Feb: Sherri Shepherd isn't prepared to "throw in the towel" on her TV talk show
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Blues believe they've unearthed a gem in Torian Barnes ahead of his Super Rugby debut on Saturday More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Some acceleration in rental activity's kick-starting the year - after a subdued 2025 More...



     Today's News

    Rugby:
    The Blues believe they've unearthed a gem in Torian Barnes ahead of his Super Rugby debut on Saturday 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Jake Paul claims his criticism of Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show was "misinterpreted" 21:51

    Entertainment:
    Teddi Mellencamp has encouraged her social media followers to "get checked" for cancer 21:21

    Law and Order:
    A Christchurch man's due in court - accused of dragging drivers from their cars in a string of attempted vehicle thefts 21:17

    International:
    Chocolate recipes to share some love with the people in your life 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes "still love each other" despite their break-up 20:51

    Entertainment:
    Catherine O'Hara died after suffering from a pulmonary embolism 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Steven Spielberg is convinced "there is life off this planet" 19:51

    Entertainment:
    King Charles is profoundly concerned by allegations relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's "conduct" 19:21

    Business:
    Some acceleration in rental activity's kick-starting the year - after a subdued 2025 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd