Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter has fiercely disavowed President Trump’s administration for using her music to promote its agenda, prompting an absolutely shocking and aggressive response from the White House spokesperson, as per Al Jazeera. Carpenter took to social media to react after her song Juno, from her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet, was featured in a video montage detailing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
Carpenter didn’t hold back, calling the footage “evil and disgusting.” She added a very clear message to the administration: “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” The White House had actually used her own lyrics in the caption for the clip, quoting, “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.”
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson retorted with a statement that was anything but measured. “Here’s a Short ‘n Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: we won’t apologise for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country,” Jackson said. She then aimed a direct insult at the singer, adding, “Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?”
The administration’s response doubles down on the criminal deportation propaganda
It seems like the administration’s use of unauthorized intellectual property isn’t limited to pop stars, either. Even beloved children’s characters are getting pulled into the political fray. Kids Can Press, the publisher of the Canadian icon Franklin the Turtle, had to step in after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a heavily manipulated image featuring the friendly turtle.
The image Hegseth shared on X showed Franklin aiming a bazooka at boats, which is definitely not the character we grew up with. Hegseth captioned the post, “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.” Kids Can Press quickly condemned the post. They reminded everyone that Franklin is supposed to stand for kindness and inclusivity, not violence.
You might remember that this pattern of artists protesting the administration’s use of their music has been going on for a while now. This isn’t the first time the Trump team has faced backlash over unauthorized soundtracks.
American singer and guitarist Kenny Loggins recently demanded the removal of a video posted by the president that used his massive hit Danger Zone from the movie Top Gun. That video, which used AI-generated images of President Trump as a fighter pilot dropping excrement on political opponents, was seriously gross. Back in 2024, Celine Dion condemned the use of her iconic song My Heart Will Go On in a campaign video. Beyoncé reacted similarly that same year over the use of her song Freedom.
Published: Dec 3, 2025 03:00 pm