Sabrina Carpenter & Franklin Publisher Slam Trump Admin's Unauthorized Use of Music & Imagery in Political Campaigns

Pop Stars and Beloved Characters Object to Political Misappropriation

A recent wave of controversy has seen pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter and the Canadian publisher of the iconic children’s character Franklin the Turtle publicly denounce the unauthorized use of their work by the US Donald Trump administration. Both incidents highlight a growing tension between artistic expression and political messaging, particularly when artists feel their creations are being used to promote agendas they find objectionable.

Sabrina Carpenter Slams 'Evil' Immigration Video

Grammy-nominated artist Sabrina Carpenter did not mince words when she discovered her 2024 song "Juno" from her album Short n' Sweet was featured in a White House video montage depicting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Taking to social media, Carpenter declared the video “evil and disgusting,” asserting, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” The White House had quoted her lyrics, “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye,” in the clip's caption.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson quickly issued a sharp rebuke, stating, “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. Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?” This aggressive counter-response further escalated the already heated exchange.

Franklin the Turtle Image Draws Condemnation

Simultaneously, Kids Can Press, the Canadian publisher behind the cherished Franklin the Turtle series, condemned US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversial post on X. Hegseth's post featured a digitally altered image of Franklin aiming a bazooka, captioned, “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.”

Kids Can Press swiftly responded on social media, emphasizing, “Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and stands for kindness, empathy, and inclusivity.” The publisher firmly added, “We strongly condemn any denigrating, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, which directly contradicts these values.” This incident occurred as Hegseth faces allegations of ordering a second deadly strike on survivors of a September attack on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean Sea, prompting calls for a war crimes investigation.

A Recurring Theme: Artists vs. Political Campaigns

The unauthorized use of music and imagery by political campaigns, particularly those associated with Donald Trump, is not a new phenomenon. Several prominent artists have previously voiced their objections:

• Kenny Loggins demanded the removal of a video using his hit "Danger Zone" from Top Gun, which featured AI-generated images of Trump dropping excrement on opponents.
• In 2024, Celine Dion condemned the use of "My Heart Will Go On" in a campaign video.
• Beyoncé similarly reacted to the unauthorized use of her song "Freedom" in the same year.

However, not all artists oppose the use of their work. Victor Willis, the sole remaining original member of the Village People, has openly supported Trump's use of their disco anthem "YMCA" at rallies, despite some of his fellow band members having previously requested its removal due to its association with the gay liberation movement.

These incidents underscore the ongoing debate regarding intellectual property rights, artistic integrity, and the often-uncomfortable intersection of pop culture and high-stakes politics.