The White House’s social media team is facing backlash from Grammy-winning artist Sabrina Carpenter after they used her song “Juno” in a video portraying law enforcement activity related to immigration enforcement. Carpenter expressed outrage over the video, labeling it as “evil and disgusting.” She took to social media to emphasize, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
As a response, a representative for Carpenter directed inquiries to her post, reaffirming her disapproval. During her concerts, Carpenter has previously engaged in playful renditions of “arrests” with celebrities, utilizing pink fluffy handcuffs, showcasing her lighthearted approach to performance.
In a controversial twist, the White House doubled down on the use of Carpenter’s lyrics in their statement, asserting, “we won’t apologize for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country.” This statement, issued by White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, highlights the administration’s stance on immigration enforcement.
The video featuring Carpenter’s song remains available on X and TikTok as of late Tuesday afternoon. This incident is not an isolated case; the Trump administration has been noted for using songs from artists without their consent in a variety of videos and memes. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security faced backlash for using Olivia Rodrigo’s “All-American Bitch,” prompting Rodrigo to respond with a statement condemning the use of her music for what she termed “racist, hateful propaganda.”
Past controversies include the White House employing Usher’s “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” in a video at a summit, and Taylor Swift’s song “The Fate of Ophelia” was featured without her input. When these songs were used, some artists, including Bruce Springsteen and Celine Dion, have openly objected to their music being associated with the Trump administration.
As tensions rise over the use of artistic work in political contexts, the conversation continues to reflect deeper societal views on immigration and the role of pop culture in political messaging. This incident not only highlights the clash between art and politics but also underscores the importance of artists retaining control over how their music is utilized.
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