""Little Dark Age" was released as the lead single from MGMT's 2018 album of the same name. As Gizmodo points out, the track has been co-opted by neo-Nazi and white supremacist circles in recent years. A 2021 report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue found it was "by far the most popular sound among extremist creators on TikTok," often used in videos referencing American Nazi Party founder George Lincoln Rockwell and "esoteric nazism.""
""Little Dark Age" features lyrics like, "Policemen swear to God, love seeping from their guns/ I know my friends and I would probably turn and run," which directly criticize police violence. In a statement shared with Gizmodo, DHS vehemently denied connection to extremist usage or intent: "Just because you don't like something doesn't make it Nazi propaganda - this is bottom-barrel 'journalism.' MGMT's 'Little Dark Age' is wildly popular on both sides of the political spectrum. Go outside, touch grass, and get a grip.""
"The Department of Homeland Security has once again posted a social media video that was removed following a DMCA takedown request. The post, shared by DHS on October 23rd, was removed from X/Twitter after using MGMT's 2017 song "Little Dark Age." DHS has recently run afoul of multiple copyright holders. JAY-Z and The Cure have separately issued DMCA takedown requests against the agency over their respective songs "Public Service Announcement" and "Friday I'm in Love.""
The Department of Homeland Security posted a social media video on October 23 using a slowed-down remix of MGMT's "Little Dark Age" showing federal agents arresting ICE protesters in Portland. The clip was removed from X/Twitter after a DMCA takedown request but remains available on Instagram and Bluesky. The song, released as the lead single from MGMT's 2018 album, has been co-opted by neo-Nazi and white supremacist creators and was identified in a 2021 Institute for Strategic Dialogue report as widely used by extremist creators on TikTok. DHS denied any connection to extremist usage and has faced multiple recent DMCA claims from artists; a podcaster also criticized DHS for using a clip from his show.
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