In an unexpected twist that’s sending shockwaves through the world of social media and politics, Khaby Lame—the most-followed TikTok star globally—has been detained by U.S. immigration authorities. Known for his viral life-hack videos and boasting over 162 million followers, Lame became a household name during the pandemic. But his rise to fame has now collided with a crackdown on immigration, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed he was detained at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport for overstaying his visa. Though ICE granted him a voluntary departure, Lame’s swift exit from the U.S. has sparked outrage and debate online
The situation took a political turn when Bo Loudon—who claims to be Barron Trump’s close friend—publicly declared that he ‘personally took action’ to have Lame detained. Loudon, a Gen-Z political influencer with ties to Trump’s 2024 campaign, bragged on X (formerly Twitter) that he collaborated with “patriots” in DHS to target Lame, labeling the Italian influencer an “illegal alien” and “far-left TikTok star.” While one of Loudon’s posts was flagged with a community note citing misinformation about his involvement, ICE did confirm Lame’s detainment, lending partial weight to the controversial claim.
In the wake of the incident, Loudon doubled down, praising what he called the “swift action” of President Trump’s administration. He even encouraged others to use ICE’s tip-off line to report suspected violations. Meanwhile, Lame’s fans around the world have rallied in his defense, accusing political operatives of weaponizing immigration for clout. As Lame returns to Italy, the saga underscores how deeply politics and internet fame have become entangled—and how a TikTok creator can quickly become a symbol in a much larger national debate.
