Addison Rae is at the center of a fast-moving dispute after the Department of Homeland Security used her song “Diet Pepsi” in a promotional ICE video. The post was published on April 10, 2026, and was later hit with a copyright takedown notice that disabled the media attached to it. The episode has set off a wave of reaction over the video’s tone, its recruitment angle, and the decision to pair the clip with a love song.
DHS post loses media access after takedown notice
The Homeland Security post showed a notice stating, “This media has been disabled in response to a report by the copyright owner. ” The message appeared after the agency shared a video built around ICE agents and the caption “ICE is HOT. ” The clip was also presented as a way to draw Americans to apply online to become ICE agents.
The takedown landed quickly and made the post harder to view in full. The central fact is straightforward: Addison Rae filed the copyright claim tied to the use of “Diet Pepsi, ” and the platform response reflected that claim by disabling the media.
Why the video drew immediate backlash
The reaction to the video was sharp and immediate. Some online commenters praised Addison Rae for taking action, describing it as a pointed response to earlier reporting that she was MAGA-supporting. Others contrasted her move with artists who have allowed songs to appear in political or government posts without objection.
One post that spread widely said, “It’s crazy how Addison Rae has been more politically outspoken the past month than Taylor has her whole life. ” Another message pushed back on the idea that the clip was widely seen before the takedown, saying the poster only learned the video existed after the copyright claim brought it into view. The broader response showed how quickly a copyright fight can turn into a political and cultural flashpoint.
ICE recruitment angle added to the controversy
The video was not just a music-use dispute. It was also framed as a recruitment message for ICE, with the agency linking the post to online applications for Americans interested in becoming agents. That combination helped turn the clip into a bigger conversation about image, messaging, and the government’s use of social-style content.
The tone of the video, including close shots of agents and the “ICE is HOT” caption, became the main target of criticism. In that context, the use of addison rae and her song “Diet Pepsi” only intensified the attention.
Immediate reactions from observers
Reactions from social media users captured the confusion. Conservative journalist Eric Spracklen wrote, “I wish [the Department of Homeland Security] cared as much about mass deportations as they do making Instagram reels. ” Writer J. P. Hill added, “What the f—. Who is this for?”
Those comments reflected a larger split in the response: some saw the post as a clumsy recruitment effort, while others focused on the copyright issue and the speed of the takedown. Either way, addison rae became the name attached to the moment almost immediately.
What comes next
The immediate next step is whether the DHS post remains disabled or returns in another form. For now, the copyright claim has already reshaped the story, turning a recruitment video into a public dispute over music use, political messaging, and timing. As the reaction continues, addison rae remains the key figure linked to a post that government officials likely did not expect to become a viral controversy.
