Sabrina Carpenter is calling out the Trump administration after her music was used in a video promoting immigration arrests — without her approval.
According to PEOPLE, Carpenter, 26, is currently on her Short n’ Sweet Tour, where she often brings a fan or celebrity onstage for a playful “arrest” during her performance of her 2024 track “Juno.”
But on Monday, Dec. 1, that same song appeared in a very different context. The Trump White House used “Juno” as the soundtrack for a video highlighting ICE arrests, posting it across social media.
“Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye,” the official White House account wrote on X, referencing one of the song’s lyrics.
Carpenter quickly denounced the administration’s use of her music. In a post on Tuesday, Dec. 2, she wrote on X, “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
The White House fired back the same day. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, spokesperson Abigail Jackson dismissed Carpenter’s criticism.
“Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: we won’t apologize for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country,” Jackson said. “Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?”
Carpenter did not indicate whether she plans to take further action over the use of her song. It also remains unclear whether the administration sought permission before using “Juno.”
She is not the first artist to clash with Trump over music being used in political messaging. Céline Dion, Bruce Springsteen, Linkin Park, Neil Young, and others have publicly criticized similar uses of their work.
Just last month, Olivia Rodrigo condemned the use of her song “All-American Bitch” in a White House and DHS video encouraging undocumented immigrants to self-deport.
The footage showed ICE agents detaining immigrants alongside the caption: “If ICE finds you, LEAVE NOW and self-deport using the CBP Home app. If you don’t, you will face the consequences.”
Rodrigo’s comment, which Rolling Stone reported was later deleted, read: “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
A DHS spokesperson responded at the time, telling the outlet, “America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”
