White House Removes Video Using Sabrina Carpenter Song After Singer’s Criticism
The White House removed a video posted to social media on Friday that featured the arrest of individuals described as “supposedly undocumented immigrants,” set to the tune of singer Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Juno.” The removal followed a strong rebuke from Carpenter herself, who condemned the video as “evil and disgusting.”
The controversy highlights a growing trend of political entities utilizing popular music in social media campaigns, often without the artists’ consent, and the swift backlash that can ensue.
Carpenter voiced her outrage on Tuesday via a video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. “Never involve me, or my music, to serve your inhumane agenda,” she stated, adding that the video was both “evil and disgusting.” The post quickly amassed millions of views, drawing attention to the White House’s use of her music.
The video in question initially showed footage of anti-US deportation protesters before transitioning to scenes of law enforcement agents pursuing and handcuffing individuals alleged to be undocumented immigrants. The entire sequence was underscored by Carpenter’s 2024 hit, “Juno.”
A White House spokesperson responded to Carpenter’s criticism on Tuesday with a statement published in various media outlets. The statement, delivered with pointed language, read: “Here is a message short and sweet for Sabrina Carpenter: We will not apologize for expelling dangerous criminals, illegal murderers, rapists and pedophiles from our country. Anyone who defends these monsters is either stupid or slow-witted.”
The situation is further complicated by the lyrical context of Carpenter’s song. During her current tour, Carpenter has playfully “arrested” audience members and celebrities with pink plush handcuffs, using the phrase “Have you ever tried this one?” from “Juno.” However, the same phrase is reportedly used during her concerts to reference sexual positions, creating a jarring disconnect with the video’s depiction of law enforcement actions.
This incident is not isolated. In November, the White House also released a video featuring the federal immigration police (ICE) encouraging immigrants to voluntarily leave the United States, set to Olivia Rodrigo’s 2023 song, “All-American Bitch.” Rodrigo similarly criticized the use of her music, stating, “Never again use my songs to promote your racist and hateful propaganda,” leading to the song’s removal from the video.
These instances raise critical questions about the ethical implications of using artists’ work for political messaging without their permission, and the potential for misrepresenting the intent and meaning behind the music. The White House’s actions underscore the power artists now wield in the digital age, and their willingness to leverage that power to defend their values.
