TikTok’s biggest star Khaby Lame has been detained by ICE and deported from the United States, thanks to a tip from a teenage Trump-allied conservative influencer who claims he personally orchestrated the social media giant’s removal.
Key Takeaways
- Khaby Lame, TikTok’s most followed creator with 162.2 million followers, was detained by ICE at Las Vegas airport for overstaying his visa
- Bo Loudon, an 18-year-old conservative influencer with connections to the Trump family, claims credit for tipping off authorities about Lame’s immigration status
- Lame was granted voluntary departure on June 6 and has since left the United States as part of President Trump’s broader immigration enforcement push
- The incident highlights the Trump administration’s commitment to immigration enforcement regardless of celebrity status or popularity
- Loudon characterized Lame as a “far-left illegal alien” who evaded taxes and overstayed an invalid visa
Immigration Enforcement Reaches Social Media Elite
The detention of Khaby Lame, an Italian-Senegalese content creator with over 162 million TikTok followers, demonstrates that President Trump’s immigration policies apply to everyone regardless of fame or fortune. Lame was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6 after allegedly overstaying his visa. Despite being arguably the most influential person on TikTok, with a following larger than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and President Trump combined, Lame was not exempt from immigration enforcement actions.
According to ICE officials, Lame was “granted voluntary departure June 6 and has since departed the U.S.” The TikTok star, who gained Italian citizenship in 2022 after moving from Senegal, had entered the United States on April 30. His departure comes amid President Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement operations across the country, which have faced resistance from some Democrat-controlled cities but continue to proceed as planned. The administration has made it clear that no one, regardless of social status, is above immigration law.
Teen Conservative Claims Credit for Deportation
In a surprising twist, 18-year-old Bo Loudon, a conservative Gen Z influencer with close ties to the Trump family, has publicly claimed responsibility for Lame’s detention. Loudon, the son of former Republican Missouri state Senator John Loudon and conservative media personality Gina Loudon, boasted about his involvement on social media. “I’ve been working with the patriots at President Trump’s DHS to make this happen,” Loudon wrote on X, referring to the Department of Homeland Security’s action against the TikTok star.
“Bo Loudon, a conservative Gen Z influencer who has called Donald Trump’s son Barron Trump his “best friend,” is taking credit for helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement briefly detain Italian-Senegalese social media star Khaby Lame, the world’s most-followed person on TikTok.” – Bo Loudon
Loudon provided further details in an interview with content creator Dylan Page, claiming “I discovered he was an illegal who overstayed an invalid VISA, evaded taxes, and I personally took action to have him deported.” Loudon frequently posts about his connections with the Trump family, particularly his friendship with Barron Trump. He has been involved in the Trump campaign’s efforts to court young male voters and has helped organize high-profile interviews with influencers like Adin Ross.
From Factory Worker to Global Star to Deportee
Khaby Lame’s path to becoming TikTok’s most followed creator began during the COVID-19 pandemic after he lost his factory job in Italy. His simple, humorous videos mocking overcomplicated life hacks made him an international sensation. Unlike many influencers, Lame’s content relied on universal humor rather than flashy production, using the hashtag “learnfromkhaby” to build his brand. His rise to fame eventually led to ambassador roles with major brands like Boss and Binance, as well as an invitation to the 2025 Met Gala.
“Using the hashtag ‘learnfromkhaby’ on many of his videos, Lame’s fame is more akin to the internet stardom of yore, in which an exasperated look or a quick humorous bit, stripped of any high production value or product placement, could take off on Vine” – USA Today
Despite his immense popularity and financial success, Lame’s status as a foreigner in the United States subjected him to the same immigration rules as anyone else. The TikTok star has not publicly addressed his detention, having maintained silence about the incident since his departure from the country. His representatives have not responded to media requests for comment, leaving many of his millions of followers wondering about the future of his career and his ability to engage with American audiences and brands.
Immigration Enforcement Continues Despite Resistance
Lame’s detention is just one example of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement efforts, which have faced protests in some areas but continue unabated. In Los Angeles, demonstrations against deportation operations have required significant law enforcement response, but ICE officials remain committed to implementing the President’s directives. The enforcement actions have drawn criticism from immigration advocates who argue they potentially violate due process, while supporters maintain they are necessary to restore order to the immigration system.
“TikTok star Khaby Lame was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6 for “immigration violations,”” – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The detention of someone as globally recognizable as Khaby Lame sends a clear message that the Trump administration is serious about enforcing immigration laws regardless of social status or wealth. As promised during his campaign, President Trump has directed federal agencies to prioritize immigration enforcement, with ICE taking a leading role in identifying and removing individuals who have violated U.S. immigration laws. The case demonstrates that even internet celebrities with millions of followers are subject to the same legal standards as everyone else.
