Sabrina Carpenter Slams White House – the phrase is echoing across the internet after the pop star’s fiery reaction to the Trump administration. The singer of the hit track “Juno” publicly and forcefully condemned the White House for using her music in a promotional video that depicted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arresting alleged illegal immigrants. This incident has quickly escalated into a high-profile confrontation, highlighting the ongoing tension between artists and the political use of their creative work.
The dispute ignited when the official White House X (formerly Twitter) account shared a video featuring footage of ICE operations, specifically arrests believed to have taken place in Chicago. The soundtrack chosen for this clip was Sabrina Carpenter’s song, “Juno.” Making matters worse, the post carried a caption that appeared to reference the playful stage routine Carpenter currently performs on her ‘Short n’ Sweet’ tour—a theatrical gag where she pretends to arrest an audience member or a celebrity guest using fuzzy pink handcuffs before playing the song. This lighthearted, performative ‘arrest’ was juxtaposed against the serious, real-world arrests shown in the White House video, a connection many, including the artist herself, found deeply offensive and inappropriate.
The reaction from Sabrina Carpenter Slams White House was immediate and decisive. Taking to her own X account, the pop sensation quoted the White House’s post and minced no words in her response: “This video is evil and disgusting. Never use me or my music for your inhumane agenda.” Her statement clearly articulates her horror at having her creative output co-opted to promote a political stance—in this case, hardline immigration enforcement—that she fundamentally opposes. The core issue for Carpenter is the unauthorized association of her brand and music with what she described as an “inhumane agenda.”
However, the administration’s response was equally sharp and unapologetic. White House Spokesperson Abigail Jackson issued a statement that not only defended the administration’s actions but also took a shot at Carpenter by referencing her recent album. “Here’s a short n’ sweet message for you from Sabrina Carpenter: We will not apologize for deporting dangerous, illegal killers and rapists from our country,” Jackson said. This combative, non-apology demonstrates the administration’s consistent willingness to engage in public spats with celebrities and to use their work regardless of the artist’s objection. The administration’s tactic appears to be leveraging the popularity of musicians like Carpenter to gain traction on social media, even if it sparks controversy.
This isn’t an isolated event; it is part of a pattern of the White House using popular music in its social media and campaign materials. Just weeks prior, the administration faced scrutiny for using a Taylor Swift song in another post. While Swift has remained silent on the issue, Sabrina Carpenter Slams White House joins a growing and vocal group of artists who have actively demanded that their music not be associated with this administration’s politics. The list includes high-profile names such as Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, and Linkin Park, all of whom have at some point objected to the unauthorized use of their work for political purposes. These disputes often hinge on copyright law and the implied endorsement that comes with a high-profile political figure using a celebrity’s work.
Furthermore, the issue extends beyond music, touching on other forms of popular media. Publishers of the beloved Franklin children’s books, and the Pokémon Company International, have both previously condemned government entities for unauthorized use of their intellectual property in political or enforcement-related content. These incidents underscore a broader legal and ethical debate about the appropriation of popular culture for serious, politically charged messaging.
In conclusion, Sabrina Carpenter Slams White House is a story that has captured the zeitgeist. The unauthorized use of her song “Juno” in an ICE video, and her powerful accusation of an “inhumane agenda,” has solidified her position as an artist willing to stand up against the political machine. For the pop star, this is clearly a fight over integrity and the ethical boundaries of political communication.
