Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of the children’s character Franklin the Turtle have sharply criticised the administration of United States President Donald Trump for using their creative works without permission to promote political messaging.
Carpenter’s song Juno, from her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet, was used in a video montage portraying US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Once the video surfaced on social media, the singer expressed strong disapproval, stating: This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda. The White House caption accompanying the clip quoted one of her lyrics: Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.
In response to the criticism, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson issued a rebuke, declaring: 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. Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?
Simultaneously, Kids Can Press, publisher of Franklin the Turtle, condemned US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth after he posted a manipulated image on X showing Franklin aiming a bazooka at boats. Hegseth captioned the image: Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.
Kids Can Press stated that Franklin is a beloved Canadian icon representing kindness, empathy, and inclusivity, and strongly rejected any violent, degrading, or unauthorised use of the character’s image, noting that such depictions directly contradict the values Franklin embodies. Hegseth is currently under scrutiny following allegations that he ordered a second fatal strike on two survivors of an earlier attack on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean Sea in September. The matter has led to calls for an investigation into potential war crimes.
This controversy adds to a long list of musicians objecting to the Trump administration’s use of their music. American singer and guitarist Kenny Loggins recently demanded the removal of a video that featured his hit Danger Zone from the film Top Gun. The clip contained AI-generated images of Trump portrayed as a fighter pilot dropping excrement on political opponents.
Earlier in 2024, singer Celine Dion objected to the use of her song My Heart Will Go On in a campaign video, while Beyoncé similarly expressed disapproval over the use of her song Freedom.
Despite this, Trump enjoys vocal support from some musicians. Among them is Victor Willis, the last remaining original member of the Village People, who has openly endorsed Trump’s use of the band’s 1970s disco hit YMCA during campaign rallies—contrasting the opposition from several other bandmates who previously objected to the song being used because of its long-standing association with the gay liberation movement.
A summary of the key events is presented below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Song used | Sabrina Carpenter’s Juno |
| Purpose | ICE raid montage |
| White House response | No apology for deportations |
| Other controversy | Franklin image showing violence |
| Additional artists objecting | Kenny Loggins, Celine Dion, Beyoncé |