Why Sabrina Carpenter’s Criticising Of The White House Is Crucial

Sabrina Carpenter has criticised the White House for using her song ‘Juno’ in an “evil and disgusting video.”

The video, shared by the White House’s official Twitter page this week, shows immigrants being chased and detained in the US, while her track ‘Juno’ plays in the background.

“Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” Sabrina wrote in response.

She also called the video “evil and disgusting.”

This isn’t the first time a pop star has condemned the Trump Administration’s use of their music.

 

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Earlier this year, Olivia Rodrigo said, “don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda,” after an official White House account used her song ‘All American Bitch’ over a video encouraging undocumented immigrants to leave the US.

Following Olivia’s post the song was removed from the post on Meta and a “This song is currently unavailable” notice was displayed.

Both Olivia and Sabrina’s decision to call out this use of their music is so important as there are many other stars who have stayed silent, and therefore complacent, in the Trump Administration’s use of their art.

Last month the White House used Taylor Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ on a video of Trump alluding to the “fate of America.” Swift’s fans were quick to criticise the use, but Taylor herself said nothing.

Where artists have in the past shown their support for political figures by giving them permission to use their work across campaign videos and rallies, many have also banned certain administrations from using their work.

 

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Where Kamala Harris sought permission to use Beyoncé’s ‘Freedom’ during her 2024 presidential campaign, Trump’s representatives received a cease and desist letter when they attempted to use the song themselves.

Other artists who oppose Trump’s use of their work include Lorde, the Foo Fighters, ABBA, Sia, Green Day, and Jess Glynn.

The estate of Sinead O’Connor even stated that the late singer “would have been disgusted, hurt, and insulted to have her work misrepresented in this way” after ‘Nothing Compare 2 U’ was played during a 2024 rally.

The use of songs, trending or otherwise, in White House content isn’t just a quirky addition to a video – it’s political. It’s the Trump administration’s way of saying ‘We’re cool and hip and down with the kids!’ while a video of families seeking refuge from war and conflict are chased by ICE officers.

The choice of Rodrigo’s music is just as insidious. As a Filipino-American artist, ‘All American Bitch’ can be read as Olivia’s reclaiming of the traditional, white-centric American identity – something Trump and his supporters are eager to return to.

Condemning the use of art may be a small action, but its significance shouldn’t be ignored. It’s a way of taking back control, of restricting certain political parties’ content, of saying: ‘no, I don’t agree with this, actually.’

And in an era where politics are so decisive, and so many stars are staying silent, it may be as important as ever.