Duet Los del Río Criticizes Use of Song Macarena by White House in Film About Attacks on Iran

The Spanish duo Los del Río, consisting of Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruiz Perdigones, has strongly condemned the use of their iconic song "Macarena" in a propaganda film published by the White House during the tenure of former President Donald Trump. The video material, aimed at boasting about U.S. attacks on targets in Iran, combined footage of destruction with the song's dance rhythm, which the authors deemed deeply inappropriate and contrary to the original message of their work. The song "Macarena" from 1993 by the duo Los del Río became a global musical and dance phenomenon in the mid-90s, a symbol of carefree fun and one of the world's most popular songs. Its use in a military context is seen as a stark contrast to its cheerful character. The duo's statement, quoted by Spanish media, was unequivocal: "La hice para alegrar la vida al mundo, no para matarla" ("We created it to cheer up the world, not to kill it"). The artists expressed sadness and disappointment that their song, associated with joy and celebration, was used for purposes they believe glorify death and destruction. This is not the first time musical works have been appropriated by politicians or state institutions, but the creators' reaction this time was exceptionally direct and critical. „La hice para alegrar la vida al mundo, no para matarla” (We created it to cheer up the world, not to kill it) — Los del Río The controversial White House film, which became the source of scandal, used not only "Macarena" but also clips from the animated series "SpongeBob SquarePants" (known in Poland as "Bob Esponja"). The combination of a cartoon intended for children with footage of rocket attacks was widely criticized by commentators and pundits. Many of them judged that such a form of communication trivializes the seriousness of the international situation and could be perceived as a lack of respect for the victims of the conflict. The Trump administration's action fits into a broader trend of using elements of popular culture in political messaging, which sometimes crosses the boundaries of good taste.

The case has sparked a discussion about the limits of using cultural assets in propaganda. On one hand, creators have the right to protect the integrity of their work and oppose its use in a manner contrary to their intentions. On the other, public institutions like the White House must consider the potential public reception and ethical consequences of their communication actions. The incident with "Macarena" and "Bob Esponja" shows how easily an innocent pop culture symbol can be transformed into a tool of political messaging, which does not always meet with public approval or that of the creators themselves. The reaction of Los del Río is a clear signal that artists do not want to be associated with aggressive military actions.