Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter has issued a fierce public rebuke to Donald Trump's White House after it used one of her songs to soundtrack a video depicting aggressive immigration raids.
A Viral Lyric Used for 'Inhumane Agenda'
The controversy erupted on 7 September, when the official White House account on the social media platform X posted a video. The clip showed agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) chasing, tackling, and handcuffing individuals in what appeared to be Chicago. The footage was set to Carpenter's song 'Juno', specifically overlaying the viral lyric, "Have you ever tried this one?"
Carpenter responded directly, writing: "this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda." Her statement highlights a growing tactic by the Trump administration, which has repeatedly used popular music, often tied to internet memes, to add a glossy sheen to its hardline immigration policies.
A Growing Chorus of Artist Backlash
Carpenter is far from the first musician to object to the political co-opting of their work. Earlier in September, the White House used a track by Taylor Swift, Carpenter's friend and collaborator, over a montage of Trump's social media posts attacking the star. Swift has remained silent on the matter.
In October, veteran singer Kenny Loggins blasted the administration for using his song 'Danger Zone' in an AI-generated video that showed Trump dumping faeces on protesters. Loggins stated he would have denied permission and demanded the video be removed.
British singer Jess Glynne also reacted with fury this summer when her hit 'Hold My Hand' was used to promote ICE deportations. "This post honestly makes me sick," Glynne said, later telling the Guardian the use was antithetical to the song's message of love and support. The airline Jet2, whose advert revived the song's popularity, also condemned the video.
Supercharged Enforcement and Legal Limbo
The use of provocative social media content coincides with a significant ramping up of immigration enforcement since Trump began his second term ten months ago. The administration has authorised a system of mass arrests and deportations, often celebrated in official posts as part of a crackdown on crime.
However, Guardian analysis found most people arrested by ICE have never been convicted of a crime. Human rights experts have raised serious concerns about detentions, including of children, and arrests made without charge.
This week, the administration announced a total pause on asylum decisions, leaving 1.5 million people in legal limbo. Trump has also vowed a permanent halt to migration from so-called "third world" countries following a shooting in Washington DC.
The ongoing clashes between the White House and the music industry underscore the deep cultural and political divides being amplified in the 2024 election cycle, with artists increasingly forced to defend their creative work from political appropriation.
