A sharp rebuke echoed across social media as pop star Sabrina Carpenter discovered her song, “Juno,” unexpectedly soundtracking a video showcasing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in action. The Grammy winner didn’t hesitate, branding the video “evil and disgusting” and issuing a firm demand: “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
The response from the former administration was swift and unapologetic. A spokesperson delivered a pointed statement, declaring they would not apologize for the deportation of individuals described as “dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles.” The message continued with a stinging question for anyone defending such individuals: “must be stupid, or is it slow?”
The video itself featured agents handcuffing individuals, set to Carpenter’s upbeat track. A caption accompanied the footage: “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.” This use of the song drew immediate criticism, particularly given Carpenter’s own playful “arrest” routine during her recent “Short n’ Sweet Tour,” where she playfully cuffed audience members before performing “Juno.”
Carpenter’s statement ignited a firestorm online, garnering over a million likes, yet sparking a divided debate. Some criticized her past artistic choices, referencing a music video filmed inside a church, while others staunchly defended her right to protest the use of her work for political purposes. One comment encapsulated a prevailing sentiment: “It’s not inhumane for those who don’t belong here to go home.”
This isn’t an isolated incident. A growing number of artists have publicly distanced themselves from the former administration’s use of their music. Just weeks prior, Kenny Loggins demanded the immediate removal of his song “Danger Zone” from an AI-generated video depicting the former president dropping what appeared to be waste on protestors.
Loggins expressed dismay at the divisive nature of the video, stating, “I can’t imagine why anybody would want their music used or associated with something created with the sole purpose of dividing us.” He emphasized the need for unity, asserting, “We’re all Americans, and we’re all patriotic.”
Olivia Rodrigo also voiced her outrage when the Department of Homeland Security used her song “All-American Bitch” in a video encouraging self-deportation among undocumented immigrants. Her response was direct: “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
The band Semisonic similarly condemned the use of their song “Closing Time” in a video showcasing arrests, emphasizing the song’s message of hope and joy was completely misconstrued. They clarified they had neither authorized nor been asked for permission to use their music.
The list of artists objecting to their work being used in this manner continues to grow, including ABBA, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, and many others. Despite the consistent pushback, the administration remained resolute, even sharing a doctored image featuring a children’s character wielding a weapon against alleged drug traffickers.
The publisher of the character immediately condemned the unauthorized and violent use of their image, underscoring a clear message: artistic expression and intellectual property deserve respect, and should not be co-opted for divisive political agendas.
