Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of the cherished children's book character Franklin the Turtle have issued strong public condemnations after their work was used to support the Trump administration's political agenda.
Pop Star's Fury Over Immigration Video
On Tuesday, 2 December 2025, Sabrina Carpenter responded with outrage after her song "Juno" was featured in a White House video montage depicting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The singer took to X, formerly Twitter, to state her position clearly.
Carpenter tweeted: "this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda." The controversial clip was posted by the White House with a caption quoting lyrics from her track: "Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye."
Children's Character Weaponised in Defence Post
The condemnation extends beyond the music industry. On Monday, 1 December, Kids Can Press, the publisher of 'Franklin the Turtle', denounced a social media post by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Hegseth had shared a manipulated image on X showing the gentle turtle character aiming a bazooka at boats, accompanied by the caption "Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists." This imagery was linked to the administration's military actions in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
In an official statement, Kids Can Press declared: "We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin's name or image, which directly contradicts these values." The publisher emphasised that Franklin represents friendship, kindness, and peaceful problem-solving.
A Growing Chorus of Objections
This incident is not isolated. The Trump administration has repeatedly faced backlash from artists and rights holders for using copyrighted material without permission for political purposes.
More than 80 people have been killed in the administration's strikes on suspected drug-running boats since early September, adding gravity to the context in which this imagery was deployed.
The list of performers who have previously objected is extensive and includes major international stars:
- ABBA
- Bruce Springsteen
- Olivia Rodrigo and Rihanna
- Pharrell and John Fogerty
- Neil Young and Eddy Grant
- R.E.M. and Guns N' Roses
- Celine Dion, Beyoncé, and Adele
This pattern highlights an ongoing tension between political campaigns and intellectual property rights, where an artist's creative work is co-opted to endorse policies they may fundamentally oppose. The forceful statements from both a contemporary pop star and a children's publisher underscore the broad cultural concern over this practice.
