Sabrina Carpenter Criticizes White House for Using “Juno” in ICE Raid Video

The White House has drawn sharp criticism after using popular music from artists who have openly opposed Donald Trump in promotional videos featuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, with the latest controversy centering on Sabrina Carpenter’s hit single “Juno.”

Carpenter issued a blistering response after discovering her chart-topping song had been used to soundtrack a social media video showcasing ICE raids. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Grammy-winning artist made her position clear: “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”

The controversial video featured footage of individuals being handcuffed, subdued, and detained by ICE agents. The White House production strategically incorporated Carpenter’s viral lyric “Have you ever tried this one?” as visual imagery of enforcement operations played on screen.

This incident marks the latest in what appears to be a pattern of the administration using music from artists who have publicly criticized the former president. Prior to the “Juno” controversy, the White House released a similar promotional video featuring Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” without apparent authorization.

The Swift selection is particularly notable given Trump’s history of criticizing the pop superstar on his social media platforms. Despite the unauthorized use of her music, Swift has yet to make a public statement regarding the matter.

Music industry analysts point out that this practice raises significant questions about copyright usage and artist consent in political messaging. The unauthorized use of popular songs in politically charged content has long been a contentious issue, with artists from both sides of the political spectrum frequently objecting when their work is co-opted for political purposes without permission.

“Using an artist’s work against their expressed political positions isn’t just potentially legally problematic—it’s ethically questionable,” said one music rights attorney who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Artists have a vested interest in how their creative output is presented to the public.”

The White House’s approach appears particularly provocative given that both Carpenter and Swift have substantial young fan bases who are highly engaged on social media platforms where these videos circulate. This demographic represents an important voting bloc that both major political parties have been actively courting.

Immigration enforcement remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics, with ICE operations often at the center of heated debates about border security, human rights, and immigration policy. By pairing popular music with imagery of enforcement actions, the administration appears to be attempting to normalize or even glamorize controversial detention practices.

Critics argue this media strategy deliberately misappropriates the cultural capital of popular artists to soften public perception of enforcement actions that have been widely criticized by human rights organizations.

For Carpenter, whose career has reached new heights with recent hits including “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” alongside “Juno,” the unauthorized use of her music for political purposes represents an unwelcome intrusion into her carefully cultivated public image.

The incident highlights the increasingly complex relationship between popular culture, social media, and political messaging in an era where content can be quickly repurposed and recontextualized. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, artists face growing challenges in maintaining control over how their creative work is utilized, particularly when it intersects with highly polarized political discourse.

Neither the White House nor representatives for ICE have publicly responded to Carpenter’s criticism as of this reporting.