Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of the beloved children’s character Franklin the Turtle are disavowing the Trump administration’s use of their music and imagery to support its agenda.
Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter has hit out at an "evil and disgusting" White House video of immigration agents chasing, handcuffing and detaining people, all to the sound of her song ‘Juno’.
"Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda," she posted on X.
Donald Trump’s hugely controversial policy of sending ICE officers into communities has led to the detention of people who have been living and working in the US for decades and have no criminal record.
Carpenter adds her name to a long list of musicians who have expressed disgust over the Trump administration’s unauthorised use of their music. The artists include ABBA, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Semisonic, Adele, Céline Dion, Beyoncé, R.E.M., The White Stripes, Neil Young and Rihanna.
Last month, US singer Olivia Rodrigo warned the White House not to "ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda" after the Department of Homeland Security posted an Instagram video soundtracked by her song ‘All-American Bitch’ to promote its deportation efforts.
Carpenter is not alone in condemning the illegal use of her work.
On Monday, Franklin the Turtle publisher Kids Can Press condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s post on X featuring a manipulated image showing the beloved children's character aiming a bazooka at alleged criminals.
Hegseth posted the “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists” image with the caption ”For your Christmas wish list...”
“We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image,” the publisher wrote on X.
The image comes as the Trump administration conducts multiple strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug boats. The administration has defended the actions as self-defence.
More than 80 people have been killed in such strikes since early September.
"Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity," publisher Kids Can Press said in its statement, adding that such a violent depiction "directly contradicts these values".
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement: "We doubt Franklin the Turtle wants to be inclusive of drug cartels... or laud the kindness and empathy of narco-terrorists".
Mr. Parnell – he's a fictional, 6-year-old hand-drawn Canadian turtle known for facing everyday challenges like riding a bike. Hardly appropriate or relevant, is it?
