The Division of Homeland Safety posted DaBaby’s tune to point out off the vans utilized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brokers.
On Thursday (Aug. 14), Homeland Safety’s social media account dropped a video displaying a number of ICE vans cruising by way of Washington D.C. This comes as Donald Trump guarantees to ramp up police presence within the Capitol to “crack down on crime.”
The clip options DaBaby’s observe “Toes” from his 2019 album Kirk because the soundtrack. Within the tune, DaBaby talks about his “ice,” referring to his bling—not the ICE Homeland Safety means. “My coronary heart so chilly I believe I’m finished with ice,” he spits within the Kenny Beats–produced observe. The model the company used was closely sanitized.For extra tales on authorities campaigns and music crossovers, try our current protection right here.
Trump-Branded Vans & Value Tag Breakdown
In response to Rolling Stone, the Trump administration spent $384,000 on Ford Raptors and GMC Yukons featured within the video. In addition they dropped an extra $182,000 for “graphic wrap design and utility for legislation enforcement autos.”
The vans are branded in the identical colours as Trump’s personal jet, with daring phrases like “Defend the Homeland” and “President Donald J. Trump” throughout the perimeters. Officers claimed the rides had been “for recruitment functions.”
ICE is actively recruiting extra officers as Trump pushes harder deportation insurance policies nationwide. The company’s marketing campaign appears to be catching consideration—former Superman actor Dean Cain even introduced he’s becoming a member of the pressure.
DaBaby’s Silence & His Previous Trump Feedback
As of now, it’s unclear if DaBaby gave permission for Homeland Safety to make use of “Toes” of their video. He hasn’t posted about it or shared the clip on his social media.
Nonetheless, in a 2022 Full Ship podcast interview, DaBaby overtly expressed his help for Trump.
“Do I fuck with Trump? Now? Hell yeah,” he mentioned, based on Billboard. “Trump is a gangster. He let Kodak [Black] out.”
This pro-Trump remark got here proper after the rapper confronted intense backlash for his homophobic rant throughout his Rolling Loud 2021 efficiency—an argument that reportedly price him about $200 million in potential earnings.
Public Response & Political Context
The selection of tune has social media break up. Some see it as tone-deaf, given the political weight ICE carries in immigrant communities, whereas others assume it’s a intelligent advertising and marketing transfer to seize consideration.
Trump’s administration has been doubling down on a “legislation and order” picture, particularly in cities like D.C., the place violent crime headlines have dominated the previous yr. Homeland Safety’s video performs into that message, displaying off military-style autos in high-definition, set to a beat many younger Individuals acknowledge immediately.
For communities who’ve been straight impacted by ICE raids, the clip hits in another way. Critics argue it glamorizes an company with a historical past of aggressive techniques. Supporters, in the meantime, view it as a rallying name for stronger border and crime enforcement.
