Khaby Lame deported: Did a Trump family insider get the world's most-followed TikToker ICE'd?

Time of India

a day ago

Khaby Lame
, the most-followed person on
TikTok
, was detained by U.S. immigration officials last week and quietly asked to leave the country. The move has drawn sharp attention—not only because of Lame's global popularity, but because an 18-year-old conservative influencer who calls himself
Barron Trump
's best friend claimed credit for tipping off authorities.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(
ICE
) confirmed that Lame, a 25-year-old Italian citizen born in Senegal, was detained on 6 June at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for 'immigration violations.' Officials said he overstayed his visa after entering the U.S. on 30 April.
In a statement to
NPR
, ICE said, 'Lame was granted voluntary departure June 6 and has since departed the U.S.' The voluntary departure means Lame avoids a formal removal order, allowing him to return legally in the future.
'I worked with Trump's ICE': Loudon's claim stirs controversy
Soon after the news broke, Bo Loudon—a rising right-wing social media figure—posted on X: 'I worked with Trump's ICE to have him removed.' Loudon later elaborated in a video posted online, saying:
'I just called some buddies in the administration, and I've never seen anything happen so quick. They were like, 'We're gonna get right on this.''
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Loudon claimed he had been informed by 'a few of his friends' and 'business partners' that Lame had overstayed his visa.
'I wish Khaby the best of luck,' Loudon said, 'and hope he's able to come back as a law-abiding citizen.'
The statement caused outrage online, with critics accusing Loudon of exploiting the situation for political clout. ICE has not confirmed whether Loudon's involvement played any role in Lame's detention.
Who is Bo Loudon?
Bo Loudon is no ordinary teenager. He's the son of former Missouri state senator John Loudon and political commentator Gina Loudon, a former co-chair of Women for Trump. On social media, Bo is often seen posing with Donald and Barron Trump, promoting conservative views mixed with lifestyle content.
Loudon and Barron Trump reportedly helped spearhead parts of Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, aiming to attract Gen Z voters through influencer outreach. One of their most visible moves was organising a livestream with Trump and content creator Adin Ross last August. The broadcast attracted half a million viewers.
From Met Gala to ICE custody
Khaby Lame's trip to the U.S. was high-profile from the start. He attended the Met Gala in May, shared stages with celebrities, and was seen at various events. But in early June, he was stopped at the Las Vegas airport by immigration officers who cited his expired visa.
ICE has provided no details about the type or length of his visa, stating: 'The information provided in the statement is all we have available.'
Lame has made no public comment on the incident. His TikTok and Instagram accounts, followed by over 162 million people, have remained silent about the detention.
A global icon caught in red tape
Lame, who gained fame during the COVID-19 lockdown by silently mocking overly complex "life hacks," became a symbol of digital simplicity. His humour, delivered without dialogue, drew comparisons to Mr Bean. Born in Senegal and raised in Italy since he was a toddler, Lame became an Italian citizen in 2022 after years of limbo.
His comedy, said digital anthropologist Payal Arora in an interview with NPR last year, offers a subtle critique of online influencer culture.
'His message to regular people is, 'Hey, hang on. They are the idiots, not you.''
But in the United States, it wasn't absurdity he mocked. It was bureaucracy that mocked him.
A symbol beyond borders, stopped by them
Khaby Lame's removal reflects more than a paperwork mishap. It comes at a time when immigration enforcement under President Trump's second term has intensified. ICE raids, mass detentions, and crackdowns on visa overstays have become more frequent.
Even high-profile figures aren't exempt. The message from U.S. authorities is clear: regardless of fame, background, or intention—rules are rules.
But critics argue that this rigidity is more performative than protective. That it's about optics, not outcomes.
In a year of escalating deportations and political posturing, Khaby Lame became an unlikely participant in America's culture war—by doing what he always does. Nothing. No angry videos. No dramatic posts. Just a quiet exit.
Exit without a word but not without a statement
The most-followed man on TikTok, whose silent videos made the internet laugh, left the U.S. with no words—only the echo of irony. A creator who built his brand on common sense was undone by a system that often defies it.
The incident has fuelled debate not just about immigration laws, but about how power is used—and who gets to use it. Bo Loudon's claim that he used connections to initiate action has raised questions about political influence over federal enforcement.
Whether or not his call had any impact, the bigger picture remains: Khaby Lame was shown the door. And in that silent departure, he may have delivered his most powerful message yet.