Singing sensation Sabrina Carpenter has confronted the White House for using her song in a social media clip showcasing raids by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), becoming the latest entertainer to clash with Donald Trump’s administration. 

 

 

The situation began when the White House shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) featuring federal enforcement officers pursuing and apprehending individuals. The footage promoted the administration’s immigration efforts during Trump’s second term, incorporating Carpenter’s song Juno from her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet. The song includes a lyric mentioning “freaky positions” that played while ICE agents were seen restraining individuals and placing handcuffs on them.

 

 

In an alternate version of the same video, the post featured lyrics inviting viewers to “try out some freaky positions”, concluding with the lines, “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.”

 

 

Carpenter responded on X, stating, “This video is evil and disgusting.” She further asserted, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”

 

 

In response, the White House communicated through deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson, who referenced Carpenter’s album and her track “Manchild”. 

 

 

Jackson declared, “Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: we won’t apologise for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists and paedophiles from our country.” She added, “Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?”

 

 

Carpenter’s comments follow previous disputes between the administration and numerous artists regarding the unauthorized use of their work. 

 

 

Reported instances include grievances from musicians such as R.E.M., Beyoncé, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Steve Tyler, Neil Young, Foo Fighters, and The Rolling Stones throughout various times in Trump’s political journey.

 

 

In recent times, other artists have also voiced their objections to similar uses of their music, including Olivia Rodrigo, who criticised the United States’ Department of Homeland Security for using her song All-American Bitch in a video about undocumented immigrants. Rodrigo wrote, “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
 

 

These occurrences have involved songs being presented in social media videos without permission, including situations where the clips featured AI-generated visuals or were incorporated in posts relating to immigration enforcement.

 

 

Critics have raised concerns about the administration’s tactics in immigration operations, highlighting arrests occurring at courthouses, along neighborhood streets, and during raids in residential areas where individuals suspected of lacking legal status reside.

 

 

Carpenter now stands alongside other musicians such as ABBA, The Beatles, Adele, and Elton John who have publicly disapproved of their songs being used in political endeavors.