The White House has posted the videos, which splice Jet2’s familiar slogan and Jess Glynne soundtrack with stark footage of chained US deportees, drawing attention to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flights.
Jet2 said it was "very disappointed" by two memes which show migrants boarding a flight with the caption: “When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. Nothing beats it!”
https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1950323473215115720
In one meme, Trump is pictured giving a thumbs up after deportees are taken from vans and put onto flights. An app that allows migrants to arrange their own deportation is also shown in one of the videos.
Trump’s government has picked up on a viral social media trend, most notable on TikTok, which involves laying Jess Glynne’s hit Hold My Hand – a long-time feature of Jet2’s adverts – and the "Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday" caption over footage of disasters, unfortunate situations, huge airport queues or poor quality accommodation.
Opinion: should Jet2 respond to the White House’s videos?
Jet2 initially capitalised on the slogan going viral, offering prizes via its official TikTok for the best riffs on their original video.
It led US news channel NBC to interview actor Zoe Lister, who voices the adverts it features in.
"TikTokers are using it to soundtrack their vacation fails," said NBC. It highlighted one example where the slogan had been used to show flooding on the New York subway that had one million posts.
"This is actually driving searches for the budget British travel brand according to Google Travel Trends,” NBC added.
Lister said: “Going viral for something that is joyful and funny is quite a wonderful experience.”
A Jet2 spokesperson said: “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.
"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.”
