TikTok’s biggest star Khaby Lame has been detained and removed from the United States after Trump-allied Gen Z influencer Bo Loudon personally orchestrated the immigration enforcement action against the social media sensation with 162 million followers.
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 and subsequently granted voluntary departure from the U.S.
- Conservative Gen Z influencer Bo Loudon, who claims close ties to the Trump administration including friendship with Barron Trump, took credit for initiating the enforcement action against Lame.
- Lame’s detention is part of President Trump’s broader immigration enforcement strategy that enforces laws regardless of social status or influence.
- The Italian-Senegalese TikTok star rose to fame during the pandemic with his simple, humorous videos and has since secured brand partnerships with Boss, Binance, and Unicef.
- This case highlights the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws equally, even against high-profile international celebrities.
Immigration Enforcement Reaches Social Media Royalty
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Khaby Lame, the world’s most followed TikTok creator, at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on June 6th. The Italian-Senegalese social media sensation, who boasts over 162 million followers on TikTok alone, was taken into custody for “immigration violations” after allegedly overstaying his visa. Following his detention, Lame was granted voluntary departure and has since left the United States, marking a significant demonstration of President Trump’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement regardless of fame or status.
The detention represents a clear message from the Trump administration that immigration laws apply equally to everyone in America, including international celebrities. Lame, who entered the U.S. on April 30, became the subject of enforcement after his visa status was flagged. His massive online influence – with a following that exceeds the combined follower counts of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and President Trump – did nothing to shield him from the consequences of immigration violations, showcasing the administration’s commitment to consistent law enforcement.
Conservative Gen Z Influencer Claims Credit
In a surprising twist, 18-year-old conservative influencer Bo Loudon publicly claimed responsibility for Lame’s detention. Loudon, the son of former Republican Missouri state Senator John Loudon and conservative media personality Gina Loudon, has positioned himself as a key player in connecting the Trump administration with young voters. Loudon took to social media to announce his involvement in the enforcement action against the TikTok star, framing it as a deliberate effort to uphold immigration laws against a high-profile target.
“I’ve been working with the patriots at President Trump’s DHS to make this happen,” Loudon, 18, wrote on X.
Loudon, who frequently posts about his connections to the Trump family, particularly his friendship with Barron Trump, further detailed his allegations against Lame. He accused the TikTok star of being a “far-left illegal alien” who had evaded taxes and overstayed an invalid visa. Whether Loudon’s claims about his direct involvement are accurate remains unconfirmed, but his public statements highlight the increasing intersection of social media influence, immigration politics, and the Trump administration’s enforcement priorities.
A Rising Star’s Sudden Legal Challenge
Khaby Lame’s detention represents a dramatic turn in what has been a meteoric rise to fame. After being laid off from a factory job in Italy during the pandemic, Lame began creating content on TikTok that quickly resonated with global audiences. His signature style involves silently mocking overly complicated “life hack” videos with simple, common-sense solutions, accompanied by his now-famous exasperated hand gesture. This approach helped him amass his enormous following without relying on language, allowing his humor to transcend cultural barriers.
“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”
Despite obtaining Italian citizenship in 2022, Lame’s status in the United States was apparently not properly maintained, leading to the immigration violation. The social media star, who recently attended the 2025 Met Gala and serves as an ambassador for several major brands including Boss and Binance, has not publicly addressed his detention. The incident serves as a sobering reminder that even those with significant wealth, influence, and international recognition must adhere to immigration laws or face enforcement action under the Trump administration.
Part of a Broader Immigration Crackdown
Lame’s detention and departure from the United States aligns with President Trump’s broader immigration enforcement strategy, which has intensified deportation efforts nationwide. Despite protests in some liberal enclaves, particularly in California, ICE continues to implement the administration’s directives to identify and remove individuals who have violated immigration laws. This approach stands in stark contrast to the previous administration’s more selective enforcement policies and represents the fulfillment of campaign promises to strengthen border security and immigration compliance.
“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 case demonstrates that the current administration’s immigration enforcement approach operates without regard to celebrity status, wealth, or social media influence. As Lame returns to Italy following his detention, his case serves as a high-profile example of the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws consistently across all segments of society. For conservative Americans who have long called for stricter immigration enforcement, the handling of Lame’s case represents a welcome return to rule-of-law principles that apply equally to everyone, regardless of their follower count or fame.
