Sabrina Carpenter has a blunt response to White House video using her music
In a recent social media controversy, the White House’s X account shared a video depicting arrests of migrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, accompanied by Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Juno.” The video sparked immediate backlash, particularly from Carpenter herself, who responded on Tuesday by labeling the White House’s actions as “evil” and “inhumane.” She vehemently disassociated her music from the video, stating, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” Her response has garnered significant attention, racking up over 66.3 million views, highlighting the intersection of pop culture and political discourse in today’s media landscape.
This incident is not an isolated one; it reflects a broader pattern of political figures, particularly from the Trump administration, using artists’ music without consent. A notable example includes a dedicated Wikipedia entry documenting musicians who have publicly opposed Trump’s use of their songs. The White House’s strategy of sharing provocative memes and viral content that dehumanizes undocumented immigrants is designed to resonate with a specific political base, further polarizing public opinion on immigration issues. Carpenter’s song “Juno,” which has gained popularity through her recent “Short n’ Sweet” tour, has now been co-opted into a political narrative, demonstrating how cultural elements can be repurposed for controversial agendas.
In a swift rebuttal to Carpenter’s criticism, a White House spokesperson emphasized their stance on immigration enforcement, quoting Carpenter’s own lyrics from her 2025 single “Manchild.” The spokesperson’s message reiterated the administration’s commitment to deporting individuals deemed dangerous, framing Carpenter’s defense of the video as misguided. This exchange underscores the ongoing tensions between artists and political entities, where music and celebrity influence are wielded in the contentious arena of policy-making and public opinion. As the debate continues, it raises important questions about artistic ownership, the responsibilities of public figures, and the ethical implications of using creative works for political gain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B-9LNjzb8k
The White House
X
account on Monday posted a video showing migrants being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, set to a soundtrack of Sabrina Carpenter’s hit song “Juno.”
Carpenter responded to the ICE video on Tuesday with an X post of her own, calling the White House’s video “evil” and “inhumane.” The singer replied to the video with the comment, “this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” The comment currently has 66.3 million views.
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Politicians, and in particular
President Donald Trump
, have a long history of using musicians’ work without their permission. In fact, there’s an entire Wikipedia entry for the phenomenon:
Musicians who oppose Donald Trump’s use of their music
.
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In addition, the White House
has a history of posting memes
, AI slop, and
viral social videos that dehumanize undocumented immigrants
, a strategy that’s proven popular with Trump’s base. The fact that the White House posted an ICE video that angered a popular celebrity is a feature, not a bug, of this social media strategy.
The song “Juno” also has a history of going viral. It played a central role in Carpenter’s 2024 “Short n’ Sweet” tour, with the singer incorporating a new simulated sex position into the song’s choreography during each of her performances. The lyrics, “Have you ever tried this one?” are now being appropriated by the White House for a new kind of viral moment.
The White House didn’t waste time in responding to Carpenter’s X post. A spokesperson provided this comment to
Fox News Digital
, quoting Carpenter’s 2025 single “Manchild” at the end: “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. Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?”
