The Department of Homeland Security took down a social media video that featured comedian Theo Von saying, “Heard you got deported, dude, bye!” after he publicly criticized the agency for failing to get his consent.
“Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this,” Von posted to X Tuesday night. “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.”
“When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows. Bye!”
The video was removed on Wednesday.
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The now-deleted video was a compilation of immigration officials making an arrest, clips of President Donald Trump speaking at the United Nations on Tuesday, various deportation statistics and the face-to-camera clip of Von.
DHS did not respond to a request for comment from NOTUS.
“it’s crazy to me that they would think this is OK,” Von said in a reply to a post praising his pushback. “What if someone attacks me tomorrow because they think I’m some final boss of deportatins or somethin [sic].”
Von’s break from the administration came as a surprise to many online — the 45-year-old podcast host has played a key role in introducing young male voters to Trump’s inner circle. Von, who attended Trump’s inauguration, has had both the president and vice president as podcast guests.
In May, he joined Trump and senior officials on the president’s first official foreign trip to Qatar.
Conservative commentator Tim Pool, another Trump administration ally, jumped to Von’s defense on Wednesday, arguing DHS’ use of Von in the video could incite violence against him.
“Theo is right. Anti DHS and Pro illegal immigrant individuals might attack him,” Pool posted. “DHS should not have put his comment about deportations in their video because he could be killed.”
Von’s talent agency did not respond to a request for comment.
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