It goes without saying that the White House has been pretty brazen with its online behavior under the Trump administration. From unhinged AI-generated slop to ICE raid music videos, some of the stuff coming from the top governmental office seems unreal. Among many tired of this cursed fever dream this timeline has placed Americans in, one person has had enough. And that person is none other than celebrity Sabrina Carpenter, the singer whose song the White House chose for one of its ICE propaganda videos.
“This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda,” Carpenter responds on X, directly condemning the White House’s post. The video in question is the post containing footage of victims being handcuffed and arrested by ICE agents, featuring the subtitle: “Have you ever tried this one?” This line was taken from “Juno,” a pop song by Carpenter, clearly referring to explicit sex positions, not undocumented people being violently tackled or detained.
Many Criticize Taylor Swift for Being Complacent with Trump Using Her Music Without Consent
This isn’t the first time that the White House has used a famous pop star’s song in its posts. Taylor Swift’s song was also featured in a video promoting President Trump, but the singer did not respond to her music being used. For that reason, the songwriter of “The Fate of Ophelia” has come under fire as being “notoriously silent.” And as everyone knows, “silence is complicity;” Taylor is more or less condoning Trump and ICE’s actions unless she speaks out about the whole ordeal. On the flip side, plenty of people are praising Sabrina Carpenter for standing up against the disrespectful and absolutely unnecessary use of her music by the White House.
“Hit them with that Copyright Strike Queen !!!!!!!” exclaims an X commenter. “Thank you for having a backbone. Cause there is another lady who simply allows them to use her music but hates to be called maga,” remarks another, clearly referring to Swift. “You gained hella brownie points for this ngl. someone else could never, so props to you for leading by example,” says a third. Thousands more put in their two cents about how incredible Carpenter is for taking a stand, with many also throwing subtle shade at Taylor Swift for her radio silence.
Of course, others have condemned the White House as well for using their songs without consent, such as Kenny Loggins and Jess Glynne. But the fact that someone as big as Taylor Swift has done nothing has rubbed many the wrong way. But celebrity criticism aside, Carpenter is right: the White House’s unprofessionalism in using pop culture and music in its posts is deplorable and unacceptable. Things need to change.
