Donald Trump’s White House recently shared a video celebrating ICE raids across the country, and it sparked harsh criticism from Sabrina Carpenter for using her song “Juno” without her permission.
The clip starts with a group of protestors before showing people being placed in handcuffs as “Juno,” which appeared on Carpenter’s 2024 album Short n’ Sweet, plays in the background. Carpenter went viral last year for simulating different sex positions during her shows when she would sing, “Have you ever tried this one?” In the truly abhorrent video shared by the White House, the line is repeated as people are arrested by ICE agents.
In a blunt response to the clip, Carpenter made it clear how she feels about the unauthorized use of her song and the current administration. “This video is evil and disgusting,” she wrote. “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
Trump’s White House and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have come under heavy criticism for their video content, which celebrates the aggressive mass immigration arrests usually accompanied by memes or poppy, feel-good music. In September, the DHS shared a video that used Pokémon imagery, alongside the phrase “Gotta Catch ‘Em All.”
Carpenter isn’t the only artist to criticize the current administration for using her song in a video without permission. Olivia Rodrigo recently criticized the DHS for using her song “All American Bitch” to soundtrack a video that told immigrants to “self-deport” or “face the consequences.” In her response, she wrote, “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
Comedian and Podcaster Theo Von also criticized the DHS for using a video of him to celebrate the deportations. “Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this," Von tweeted in response to the video. "I know you know my address so send a check. And please take this down and please keep me out of your ‘banger’ deportation videos. When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows. Bye!”
