Sabrina Carpenter Condemns White House Video Using Her Song

Sabrina Carpenter has voiced her strong disapproval of a video posted by the White House that featured her song “Juno.” The video, shared on the White House’s official X account, showcases clips of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detaining individuals, with Carpenter’s song playing in the background.

Carpenter took to X to express her outrage, stating, “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” Her comments have drawn significant attention, highlighting her position against the portrayal of immigration enforcement in the video.

Response from the White House

In response to Carpenter’s condemnation, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson offered a pointed retort. She declared, “Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: We won’t apologize for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country.” The spokesperson’s words further fueled the ongoing debate about the administration’s policies and their use of cultural references.

History of Controversial Uses of Music

This incident is not isolated. The Trump administration has faced criticism for previously using music and intellectual property in social media posts. Recently, the publisher of the children’s character Franklin the Turtle also condemned the Defense Secretary for a controversial image that misrepresented the beloved character.

Past Incidents: Intellectual Property Concerns

• Franklin the Turtle: The character’s publisher criticized the use of Franklin’s name in a violent context.
• Pokémon Theme: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” without Nintendo’s consent, leading to public disapproval.
• Theo Von’s Approval: Comedian Theo Von objected to DHS using his clip without permission, prompting the agency to remove the video.
• MGMT’s Takedown Request: The band requested the removal of their song “Little Dark Age” from a DHS propaganda video.
• Olivia Rodrigo’s Demand: After her song was used in a controversial DHS video, Rodrigo demanded the agency stop exploiting her music for what she called “racist, hateful propaganda.”

As of now, the DHS still has the contentious video featuring Carpenter’s song on its X account, sparking ongoing discussions about the appropriate use of music and artistic expression within governmental communications.