American pop singer Sabrina Carpenter has launched a fierce condemnation against former President Donald Trump's administration for using her music without permission. The controversy erupted after the White House posted a promotional video featuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, which used Carpenter's track "Juno" as its backing score.
Carpenter's Furious Response on Social Media
The 26-year-old artist did not mince words when she discovered the unauthorized use of her work. Taking to the social media platform X, Sabrina Carpenter directly addressed the Trump team. She labelled the video as "evil and disgusting" and issued a clear warning. In her post, she explicitly stated, "Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda." The video in question showcased clips related to the intensified immigration enforcement measures undertaken during Trump's presidency.
White House's Unusual Reaction and a History of Backlash
Following the singer's public rebuke and the ensuing backlash, the White House social media team deleted the original post. However, their response took a sarcastic turn. They subsequently uploaded a clip from the comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). In the SNL sketch, Carpenter is seen humorously pretending to arrest a cast member. The White House caption accompanying this clip read: "PSA: If you're a criminal illegal, you will be arrested and reported."
This incident is not an isolated one for Trump's political campaigns. His team has repeatedly faced legal and ethical objections from major artists for using their songs at rallies and in promotional material without consent. Sabrina Carpenter now joins a prominent list of musicians, including global icons like Beyoncé and Celine Dion, who have publicly pushed back against the political misuse of their creative work.
Carpenter's Previous Stance on Political Issues
The singer has previously expressed her concerns regarding Donald Trump's policies. After Trump's election victory in November last year, Carpenter made her feelings clear during a concert performance in Seattle. Addressing her fans, she said, "Sorry about our country… and to the women in here, I love you so so so so so much…" She encouraged her audience to enjoy the moment, highlighting her support for women in the face of political developments she disagreed with.
The ongoing conflict between artists and political entities over copyright and moral rights underscores a significant tension in modern campaigning. It raises critical questions about the ethical use of artistic expression for political promotion, especially when it contradicts the artist's personal beliefs and values.
