Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter has launched a scathing attack on former US President Donald Trump after his administration used one of her songs in a controversial video depicting immigration raids.
‘Evil and Disgusting’: Singer’s Furious Rebuke
The White House social media account shared a montage video showing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining and deporting people, set to Carpenter’s song ‘Juno’. The caption quoted lyrics from the track: “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.”
Responding swiftly on the platform X, Carpenter did not hold back. “This video is evil and disgusting,” she wrote. “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” Her condemnation adds to a long list of performers who have objected to the Trump campaign using their work without permission.
A Pattern of Unauthorised Use
Carpenter’s rebuke came on the same day that the publisher of the beloved children’s character Franklin the Turtle also disavowed the Trump administration. Kids Can Press condemned a post by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth which featured a manipulated image of Franklin aiming a bazooka at boats, captioned “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.”
The publisher stated it “strongly condemn[s] any denigrating, violent, or unauthorised use of Franklin’s name or image.” This incident relates to a series of US military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking, which have reportedly killed more than 80 people since early September.
The list of artists who have publicly objected to Trump using their music is extensive and includes major names such as:
- Bruce Springsteen and R.E.M.
- Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Adele
- Pharrell, Neil Young, and Guns N’ Roses
- Olivia Rodrigo, Panic! at the Disco, and Celine Dion
Criticism Amidst Cabinet Meeting Controversy
Carpenter’s criticism emerged as the 79-year-old former president faced separate scrutiny for appearing to doze off during a lengthy cabinet meeting. Reports described him with drooping eyes, leaning forward, and at times resting his head on his hand as his team offered him praise.
This is not the first time Carpenter has spoken out against Trump. Following her endorsement of Kamala Harris in last year’s election, she addressed a crowd the day after the vote, expressing solidarity. “Sorry about our country,” she told the audience, offering her performance as “a moment of peace… a moment of safety.”
The ongoing disputes highlight the persistent tension between political campaigns and artists’ rights over copyright and the moral stance associated with their creative work.
