The White House has sparked controversy once again by using a clip of singer Sabrina Carpenter in promotional material for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite her recent condemnation of their previous use of her music.
Earlier this week, Carpenter publicly described the administration as “inhumane” after her track Juno was featured in a video linked to ICE operations. On Friday, 5 December, the White House released a new video incorporating Carpenter’s appearance in a recent Saturday Night Live commercial.
The clip shows Carpenter standing alongside Saturday Night Live cast member Marcello Hernández. In the edited video, audio was altered to suggest Carpenter referred to Hernández as “illegal.” In reality, the exchange was lighthearted: Carpenter said, “I think I might need to arrest someone for being too hot,” Hernández replied, “I turn myself in,” and she quipped, “You’re under arrest.” The new video overlays this scene with footage of individuals purportedly attempting to enter the U.S. without documentation, accompanied by the caption: “PSA: If you’re a criminal illegal, you WILL be arrested & deported.”
Carpenter responded sharply to the use of her image and music, tweeting: “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” The video was subsequently removed from X, though it remains accessible on TikTok.
Carpenter is not the only artist to criticise ICE. Other musicians, including Olivia Rodrigo, Addison Rae, Shakira, and Bad Bunny, have publicly spoken out against the agency’s immigration raids and controversial promotional tactics. Carpenter’s track House Tour also received critical acclaim, ranking 34th in NME’s list of the 50 Best Songs of 2025.
The table below summarises key elements of the controversy:
| Artist | Song Used | Original Context | Edited Usage by ICE | Artist Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabrina Carpenter | Juno | Social media/TV appearances | ICE video promoting arrests | Condemned as “inhumane” |
| Sabrina Carpenter | Saturday Night Live clip | Comedy skit | Altered audio implying “illegal” | Strong public objection, video removed from X |
| Olivia Rodrigo | Various | Music releases | ICE raids | Public criticism of raids |
| Addison Rae | Various | Music/TV appearances | ICE raids | Public criticism of raids |
| Shakira | Various | Music releases | ICE raids | Public criticism of raids |
| Bad Bunny | Various | Music releases | ICE raids | Public criticism of raids |
The repeated use of Carpenter’s material raises questions over consent and the ethics of employing popular culture in government messaging, especially in contexts that impact vulnerable communities.