The White House sparked controversy after posting a video on its X account that showed migrants being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, set to Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Juno.” Carpenter responded swiftly, condemning the video as “evil” and “inhumane” and urging the White House not to use her music to promote its agenda.
This incident is not isolated; politicians—particularly former President Donald Trump—have a history of using musicians’ work without permission. Numerous artists have publicly objected to the use of their music by Trump and his associates. The White House itself has a track record of sharing memes, AI‑generated content, and viral social videos that critics say dehumanize undocumented immigrants.
The use of Carpenter’s “Juno” in the ICE video appears to be a deliberate attempt to provoke a reaction and create a viral moment. The song, which previously went viral during Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” tour, includes the lyric “Have you ever tried this one?”—a line that has drawn widespread criticism when appropriated by the administration.
In response to Carpenter’s criticism, a White House spokesperson issued a statement to Fox News Digital, defending the administration’s immigration policies and implying that those who object are misguided. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policy and the use of social media by politicians to shape public opinion, as well as questions about the use of intellectual property—particularly music—without artists’ consent.
The White House’s social‑media strategy has been criticized for promoting divisive content, and this latest incident is likely to fuel further controversy. As the debate over immigration policies continues, it remains to be seen how the White House will respond to criticism from artists and other stakeholders.
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