Sabrina Carpenter has issued a scathing rebuke to the White House after officials used her track Juno in a social media clip promoting immigration enforcement operations.
The 26-year-old Grammy winner responded directly to the post on X earlier today, declaring: “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
The condemnation came swiftly after the original footage sparked outrage among the pop star’s fanbase online.
Ms Carpenter’s intervention marks the latest clash between the Trump administration and prominent musicians over the unauthorised use of their work in government communications promoting deportation efforts.
this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.
— Sabrina Carpenter (@SabrinaAnnLynn) December 2, 2025
The Espresso singer had previously expressed her political stance following Trump’s election victory, telling concert-goers in Seattle she was “sorry about our country.”
The original clip, posted to the White House’s official TikTok account on Monday, featured 14 seconds of footage depicting individuals being pursued by immigration officers, tackled to the ground and placed in handcuffs with their faces pressed down.
The video was accompanied by a looped excerpt of Carpenter’s upbeat vocals singing “have you ever tried this one?” – a lyric from the track.
Officials captioned the post “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye” followed by waving and heart eyes emojis.
Sabrina Carpenter hit back at the White House’s X post
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The clip appeared to reference the singer’s Short n’ Sweet tour, during which she would playfully “arrest” audience members and strike different poses each evening.
This was not the administration’s first controversial music choice – the White House previously used Defying Gravity from Wicked to celebrate ICE detentions.
The White House hit back at Carpenter’s criticism through Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson, who issued a statement laden with references to the singer’s own catalogue.
“Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: we won’t apologise for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country,” Ms Jackson stated.
Sabrina Carpenter labelled the video ‘evil and disgusting’
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The spokesperson continued by quoting lyrics from Carpenter’s track Manchild: “Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?”
The original song uses that phrase to critique men the singer has dated, though the administration repurposed it to attack those objecting to their immigration enforcement approach.
The combative response mirrors the administration’s earlier reaction to Olivia Rodrigo, who similarly condemned officials for using her music in deportation-related content.
Ms Carpenter has established herself as a prominent ally of the LGBTQ+ community, using her tours to raise funds for organisations including the Transgender Law Centre.
The video featured footage depicting individuals being pursued by immigration officers, tackled to the ground and placed in handcuffs with their faces pressed down
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X THE WHITE HOUSE
At September’s MTV Video Music Awards, she surrounded herself with queer performers and RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, whilst banners bearing messages such as “Protect Trans Rights” featured prominently.
The singer had also previously encouraged her followers via Instagram Stories to donate to the National Immigration Law Center.
Her objection follows a similar incident involving Olivia Rodrigo, who in November condemned the Department of Homeland Security for using her 2023 track “all-american b****” to promote self-deportations.
“Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda,” Ms Rodrigo stated at the time.
The administration responded to Ms Rodrigo with a similarly lyric-laden statement defending federal law enforcement officers.