A voice asks, “Have you ever tried this one?” over a White House social media video showing ICE agents pursuing and detaining immigrants. This is the latest instance in what appears to be an effort to use pop culture to promote the Trump Administration’s agenda.
Carpenter strongly objected to the White House’s actions, stating, “this video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
As of Wednesday, the video remained online with the music. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded to TIME with a statement referencing Carpenter’s 2024 album: “Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter. We won’t apologize 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?”
The White House and other federal entities under President Trump’s second term have increasingly used pop music, memes, and AI-generated images on their official accounts.
The White House’s stated, “Nowhere in the Constitution does it say we can’t post banger memes.”
Carpenter is not the first, and likely won’t be the last, artist to protest the use of their work in association with political views they oppose.
Unwilling participants in political messaging
Trump has faced criticism from artists for using their music in his campaigns and first term. However, this hasn’t stopped his Administration from aggressively posting videos featuring music by pop artists, including some who have publicly criticized him.
While legally challenging the use of a song is difficult, many artists have publicly objected to inform fans and listeners of their political stance.
In November, Olivia Rodrigo responded to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after they used her 2023 song, “All-American Bitch,” as background music. On Instagram, Rodrigo stated, “don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.” The DHS cheekily replied with a reference to Rodrigo’s song lyrics: “America is for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”
In October, Kenny Loggins the “unauthorized use” of his 1986 song, “Danger Zone,” in Trump posted on Truth Social. The video depicted Trump on a jet labeled “KING TRUMP,” wearing a crown, and dropping feces on New Yorkers, apparently in response to across the country. The video remains on Trump’s Truth Social platform with the song.
Loggins stated that he was not asked for permission, which he would have denied, and requested the song’s immediate removal. When asked the White House about the song’s use, they reportedly responded with a photo of Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards from the 1986 film Top Gun, overlaid with the text, “I feel the need for speed.”
In the same month, MGMT a video of federal agents arresting anti-ICE protesters that used the band’s 2017 song “Little Dark Age.” The video was captioned: “End of the Dark Age, beginning of the Golden Age.” A DMCA takedown request was apparently filed, and the video , while it remains but without sound.
Blue Öyster Cult responded to Trump’s use of their 1976 hit “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” in an depicting Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought as the Grim Reaper during the . The band clarified that they were “not contacted or notified in advance” but that the copyright is “100% owned by SONY MUSIC.” The video remains on Trump’s Truth Social platform with the sound.
Jess Glynne also had her 2015 song “Hold My Hand,” which this year, back in July. In , Glynne said she felt “sick” and “devastated” that her song was being used to promote “division and hate.” She explained that the song was about love, support, and standing by someone, meant to offer hope and empowerment, and that using it to promote something she fundamentally disagrees with goes against its message. Jet2, an airline whose use of the song in an advertisement was used as the backing sound of the White House video, , saying the use was “not endorsed by us in any way” and that they were “very disappointed to see our brand being used to promote government policy such as this.”
Some artists have remained publicly silent about the use of their songs. For example, Taylor Swift, who has at other times about of her music and has , has not issued a statement after songs from her latest album were used in .
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