Comedian Theo Von demanded that the Department of Homeland Security remove a video using his voice to promote mass deportations. The clip, posted Tuesday on the department’s official X account, opened with Von saying, “Heard you got deported, dude — bye.”
It then displayed claims of 2 million deportations in President Donald Trump’s first 250 days in office before ending with the message “LEAVE NOW” over a departing plane.
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Von responded hours later.
“Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this,” he wrote on X. He asked for payment, called the clip a “banger deportation video,” and urged the agency to take it down. He added that his “thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows. Bye!”
What does the DHS video show?
The 31-second video combined Von’s line with Trump’s remarks, claiming migrants “simply stopped coming” and figures showing 1.6 million self-deportations and 400,000 removals.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the message, saying the numbers “don’t lie.”
“President Trump’s policies and Secretary [Kristi] Noem’s leadership are working and making American communities safe,” McLaughlin added.
The video’s release comes as the administration touts deportation efforts and the Republican-led Congress advances new immigration legislation. A United Nations study cited by Newsweek found fewer migrants traveling north, with many citing detention fears or the difficulty of entering the U.S.
Why does it matter?
Von’s objection highlights rare friction between Trump-friendly media figures and the administration’s messaging. Von previously interviewed Trump on his podcast, “This Past Weekend,” and has described himself as a centrist.
DHS has faced scrutiny for publicizing migrant arrests online, with critics arguing the posts ridicule vulnerable people. Von’s pushback adds to the debate over the agency’s use of social media for enforcement messaging.
The comedian, who also stars in Netflix specials and the upcoming film “Busboys,” has not said whether he will pursue legal action. The U.S. Copyright Office notes that while permission is usually required for reuse, “fair use” may apply in some cases.
DHS did not immediately comment on whether it will remove the clip.
