Sabrina Carpenter Slams Trump Over Song Misuse/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pop star Sabrina Carpenter and Franklin the Turtle’s publisher publicly denounced the Trump administration’s unauthorized use of their content. Carpenter’s song “Juno” was used in an ICE-themed video, while Franklin was featured in a doctored military image. The backlash adds to a growing list of artists rejecting the use of their work by the administration.
Trump Misuses Artists’ Work Quick Looks
- Who’s Speaking Out: Singer Sabrina Carpenter and Kids Can Press
- What Happened: Carpenter’s lyrics and Franklin’s image used in government messaging
- Sabrina’s Response: Called ICE-themed video “evil and disgusting”
- Franklin Image Misused: Depicted with bazooka targeting boats
- Publisher Reaction: Condemned the post for promoting violence
- Government Use: Trump admin linked materials to anti-drug raids
- Deadly Operations: 80+ killed in maritime strikes since September
- Pattern of Disputes: Numerous artists have objected to similar uses
- Notable Past Objections: ABBA, Rihanna, Springsteen, Olivia Rodrigo, Adele
- Legal/PR Risk: Unauthorized usage risks lawsuits and reputational damage
Deep Look: Sabrina Carpenter, Franklin Publisher Blast Trump Admin for Unauthorized Use
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dec. 2, 2025 — Two unlikely voices — pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of the cherished children’s character Franklin the Turtle — are the latest to condemn the Trump administration for what they say is the unauthorized and inappropriate use of their work.
At the center of the backlash is a video montage shared by the White House earlier this week that depicted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the country. The clip was set to Carpenter’s song “Juno,” with her lyrics “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye” featured in the caption. The tone and imagery drew sharp criticism online.
Responding swiftly via X (formerly Twitter), Carpenter denounced the use of her music:
“this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
Her direct rebuke adds her name to a growing list of musicians and artists who have clashed with the Trump administration over the unauthorized use of copyrighted work to promote its policies.
Franklin the Turtle Weaponized?
Meanwhile, the Trump administration also found itself in hot water after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a manipulated image of Franklin the Turtle, a beloved figure in children’s literature, brandishing a bazooka aimed at boats. The caption accompanying the post read:
“Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.”
The image circulated widely on social media, prompting strong condemnation from the publisher, Kids Can Press, which owns the rights to the Franklin character.
In a statement posted on X, the publisher wrote:
“We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values.”
Kids Can Press emphasized that the Franklin character represents education, kindness, and peace — values diametrically opposed to the aggressive military messaging portrayed in Hegseth’s post.
Context: Deadly Strikes and Escalating Criticism
The controversial media posts come amid ongoing U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, where the administration claims to be targeting drug-smuggling vessels. These maritime strikes have resulted in over 80 deaths since early September, according to officials. The campaign is part of President Trump’s broader strategy to curb drug trafficking and illegal immigration — two key pillars of his current administration.
Still, the optics of blending military actions with pop culture and children’s imagery has sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing the administration of trivializing violence and weaponizing media without consent.
A Familiar Battle: Artists vs. Trump
This is not the first time the Trump administration has faced backlash for co-opting pop culture to advance its agenda. Throughout his political career, Trump has drawn criticism from dozens of high-profile artists for using their music at rallies and in government materials without permission.
Artists and groups who have publicly objected include:
- ABBA
- Bruce Springsteen
- Rihanna
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Neil Young
- John Fogerty
- Celine Dion
- Pharrell Williams
- Guns N’ Roses
- Adele
- Panic! at the Disco
- R.E.M.
- Phil Collins
- Eddy Grant
- Semisonic
In most cases, legal action has been threatened or initiated, though few have resulted in courtroom battles. The issues highlight ongoing concerns about intellectual property rights, especially when political entities co-opt art for messaging without artist consent.
The Bigger Picture
The dual controversies underscore broader concerns over artistic control, ethical representation, and digital manipulation in an election year. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, observers warn that misappropriation of popular content — especially by government officials — could erode public trust and increase legal exposure.
Critics argue that invoking images of beloved childhood icons and emotionally charged music to justify military action or harsh immigration enforcement is both tactically tone-deaf and legally risky.
For now, Sabrina Carpenter and Kids Can Press stand united in disavowing the Trump administration’s use of their creative work—a message likely to resonate as the list of objecting artists continues to grow.
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