One thing about the government they will use your music like the whole country is an open mic night. And one thing about Sabrina Carpenter she is not letting anybody drag her name or her songs into a political message she does not believe in. So when the White House used her track Juno without her permission in a video showing Immigration and Customs Enforcement detaining people the pop star had a few things to say. And baby she did not mince a single word.
Sabrina went straight to X and called the video evil and disgusting. She made it very clear she wanted absolutely no association with what she described as an inhumane agenda. Her message was simple do not ever involve me or my music in this again. That was it. No long essay. No softening. Just the truth exactly how she wanted it to land.
But the White House could not help themselves. Instead of stepping back and rethinking their approach Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson fired back with her own message complete with references to Carpenter song lyrics. Jackson said they would not apologize for deporting what she described as dangerous criminals and added that anyone defending such people must be stupid or maybe slow. It was a response filled with attitude but not the good kind. It was giving political clapback when an apology or at least silence would have been more appropriate.
Sabrina is not the first pop star to get caught in this mess. Olivia Rodrigo dealt with the same thing just a month earlier when the Department of Homeland Security and the White House used her song all american bitch to push messaging about self deportation on social media. Olivia immediately shut that down telling them to never use her songs for racist hateful propaganda. In response the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement referencing her lyrics while insisting the country should be grateful for law enforcement officers and that she should thank them for their service instead of criticizing their actions.
It is all feeling very chaotic and very avoidable.
Sabrina Carpenter has been on an incredible run in the music world ever since Espresso blew up in twenty twenty four. She became a Grammy winning artist a pop culture favorite and the queen of catchy hooks and cheeky lyrics. But she has also been vocal about her political frustrations. After Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris in the twenty twenty four election Sabrina stood on stage in Seattle and told her audience she was sorry about our country. She also took a moment to tell the women in the room that she loved them so so much because she knew that night hit differently for a lot of people.
So when the White House tried to slide her music into a message she did not support it was never going to sit right with her. Sabrina said what she said and her fans are standing right beside her.
This moment is yet another reminder that artists are constantly fighting to keep control of their voice. And when the government tries to remix your art into something you do not believe in you are absolutely allowed to speak up. Sabrina did just that and the message was received loud and clear.
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