Theo Von, host of the podcast This Past Weekend, has had both President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on his show. The comedian even attended the inauguration earlier this year. So, one might think it would be safe to assume that he wouldn't mind if his likeness were used to promote the current administration's policies. But that doesn't seem to apply to every situation.
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As seen in a post Theo Von published to X on Tuesday, September 23, he showed his displeasure with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for using a snippet of him saying, "Heard you got deported, dude — bye" in a video promoting their agency's numbers under Trump.
Theo Von Wants "A Check"
The 31-second DHS video opens with Von's clip, then shows immigrants being detained as a claim that 2 million immigrants have been deported appears on-screen. Later, it cuts to Trump saying, "They simply stopped coming. They're not coming anymore." The video ends with the words, "Leave Now."
Von responded by quoting the video. He then wrote the following:
"Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this. I know you know my address so send a check. And please take this down and please keep me out of your 'banger' deportation videos." He added, "When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows. Bye!"
Per Variety, DHS has not commented on Von's remarks.
The Podcaster Isn't the First Artist To Object to Their Work Being Used by DHS
Theo Von isn't the only artist who has objected to the DHS using their likeness or art without permission. ABC News reported that, after DHS used a Thomas Kincade painting for a July post, the late artist's foundation issued a statement objecting to the use of the image.
"The use of his artwork was unauthorized. We have requested that DHS remove the post, and we are consulting with our counsel on our options. At The Kinkade Family Foundation, we strongly condemn the sentiment expressed in the post and the deplorable actions that DHS continues to carry out."
Rock band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club expressed its disapproval when its cover of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" was used by DHS.
"It's obvious that you don't respect Copyright Law and Artist Rights any more than you respect Habeas Corpus and Due Process rights, not to mention the separation of Church and State per the US Constitution," the band wrote on Instagram.
It then added: "go f... yourselves."
The song is no longer playing in the video.
