Washington DC - Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has issued a fierce public rebuke to the Trump administration after the White House used her hit song Juno in an official video promoting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation operations. The singer condemned the video as “evil and disgusting,” sparking global attention and reigniting debates about the politicization of art in government messaging.
The controversy erupted after the White House posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing ICE agents detaining migrants, underscored by Carpenter’s upbeat track and a caption quoting her lyric, “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.” Critics argued that the juxtaposition of cheerful music with migrant detentions appeared to glorify the operation.
Carpenter responded swiftly through her verified account, stating:
“This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
She emphasized that she had not given consent for the use of her music and accused the administration of exploiting her work to sanitize harsh enforcement tactics. Her statement went viral globally, drawing support from fans, artists, and human rights groups.
The Trump administration defended the video, saying ICE’s actions targeted “dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles.” The White House declined to apologize, framing the operation as a necessary public-safety effort rather than propaganda.
The incident has renewed long-running tensions between political institutions and the entertainment industry, particularly regarding unauthorized use of music in political communication. Analysts note that Carpenter’s strong rebuke underscores a broader cultural shift in which artists are increasingly vocal about distancing their work from state-driven narratives.
As the debate intensifies, the clash highlights a fundamental question: who controls the cultural framing of government power in the digital age?
