(NEXSTAR) – A spokesperson for U.K. travel brands Jet2 and Jet2holidays said the company finds it “very disappointing” that the Trump administration promoted the Department of Homeland Security’s deportation efforts using a meme referencing Jet2.
The meme had previously become popular on platforms including TikTok and Instagram, where users would share videos of themselves or others in compromising and sometimes harrowing situations, overlaid with the audio from a specific 2024 Jet2holidays commercial advertising flight and hotel packages.
“Nothing beats a Jet2holiday!” a voiceover artist for the commercial states. In recent weeks, that audio clip has been overlaid over viral videos of people having mishaps on waterslides or frightening encounters with wildlife.
Jet2 has even gotten in on the fun, launching a contest for a Jet2holidays voucher in response to the funny videos.
The company does not, however, approve of the Trump administration’s use of the meme earlier this week.
In a post shared by both the White House and the DHS, the audio from the 2024 Jet2holidays commercial is playing over video of people in shackles being escorted by ICE officials onto planes.
“When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation,” reads a caption under the video. “Nothing beats it!”
Viewers on social media called the White House and DHS posts “disgraceful,” “abhorrent” and “embarrassing.”
Jet2, in a statement shared to Nexstar, also called the video “disappointing.”
“Our branding has become something of a viral phenomenon this summer and we are pleased to see how many people have used it in good humour. This has put a smile on many people’s faces, just like our holidays do,” a spokesperson for Jet2 said. “We are of course aware of a post from the White House social media account. This is not endorsed by us in any way, and we are very disappointed to see our brand being used to promote Government policy such as this.”
The original Jet2 commercial also featured a song from British singer Jess Glynn, who said earlier this week that the White House’s post “makes me sick.”
“My music is about love, unity, and spreading positivity — never about division or hate,” Glynn wrote on Instagram, as reported by Variety.
When reached for comment, Abigal Jackson, the Deputy Press Secretary for the White House, told USA Today that the White House has no intention of removing its post or refraining from similar behavior in the future.
“There is nothing more unifying and positive than deporting criminal illegal aliens and making American communities safer,” Jackson told the outlet. “The memes will continue until every criminal illegal alien is removed!”
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