Comedian Theo Von Slams DHS for Using His Podcast Clip Without Consent

In late September 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) found itself in an unusual clash with popular comedian and podcaster Theo Von. DHS had released a promotional video that incorporated a snippet of Von's voice from his podcast "This Past Weekend," where he was heard saying, "Heard you got deported, dude, bye!" The video also featured footage of immigration enforcement operations and President Donald Trump's recent address at the United Nations.

Von, who commands a significant online following of 1.6 million on X (formerly Twitter), publicly criticized the agency for using his words in what he described as a "deportation video" without his consent. He demanded that DHS take down the video and send him a check for the unauthorized use of his content.

Shortly after Von's post went viral, DHS confirmed that it had removed the video. The comedian clarified that while his comedic style often employs irony, his views on immigration were "far more nuanced" than the clip suggested.

The episode drew greater attention due to Von's proximity to political figures in Washington, including his past hosting of President Trump on his podcast and appearances with Vice President JD Vance. However, the comedian appeared uncomfortable with being inadvertently cast as part of an immigration messaging strategy by the federal agency.

The DHS video controversy underlines the risks of government agencies adopting social media tactics that mimic viral internet culture. While the approach can garner attention, it also exposes the government to disputes over intellectual property, consent, and tone.