Sabrina Carpenter Objects to Song Use in ICE Video
Table of Contents
Primary Topic: Copyright and political use of music, specifically concerning artist consent and immigration enforcement.
Primary Keyword: Sabrina Carpenter ICE video
Secondary Keywords: political use of music, artist copyright, ICE deportation video, Olivia Rodrigo deportation video, unauthorized song use, music and politics, immigration enforcement, artist rights, copyright infringement, White House social media.
The singer Sabrina Carpenter has publicly objected to the use of her song “Juno” in a video posted by U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Carpenter called the video “malicious and disgusting” on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Never use me or my music to further your inhumane agenda.” https://www.billboard.com/music-news/sabrina-carpenter-ice-video-juno-1235551444/ This incident follows a similar controversy involving Olivia Rodrigo, whose song was also used in an ICE deportation video earlier this year.
The ICE video, wich surfaced in early December 2025, features footage of ICE agents arresting migrants. A lyric from Carpenter’s song “Juno” – “Have you ever tried this? Goodbye.” – was used as a caption. Carpenter’s strong reaction highlights a growing concern among artists regarding the unauthorized use of their work for political purposes, especially when those purposes conflict with the artist’s values.
This isn’t an isolated incident. In November 2025, Olivia Rodrigo publicly condemned the use of her song “get him back!” in a video shared by ICE detailing deportations. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-ice-deportation-video-1234936441/ Rodrigo stated she did not consent to the use of her music and that the video was “being used to promote something I vehemently disagree with.”
Copyright Law and Political Speech
The use of copyrighted music in political campaigns and by government agencies is a complex legal area. Generally, using a copyrighted song requires permission from the copyright holder – typically the songwriter and publisher. There are exceptions,such as “fair use,” but these are narrowly defined and frequently enough contested. Fair use typically applies to commentary, criticism, parody, or news reporting, and its request to political messaging is frequently enough debated.
The unauthorized use of music raises questions about copyright infringement. Artists retain the right to control how their work is used, and this includes preventing its association with political messages they oppose. While the White House or ICE may argue that using snippets of songs falls under fair use or constitutes a de minimis use (too small to be considered infringement), artists are increasingly pushing back against such interpretations.
Implications for artists and Political Campaigns
These incidents underscore a growing trend: artists are becoming more vocal about protecting their intellectual property and preventing their work from being used to support political agendas they disagree with. This has implications for political campaigns and government agencies, which must now be more diligent in securing licenses for music used in their messaging. Failure to do so can result in public backlash, legal challenges, and damage to their reputation.
Artists are also exploring ways to proactively protect their rights,including explicitly stating their views on political use of their music and potentially refusing to license their work for political purposes altogether. This could lead to a shift in how political campaigns source music, potentially favoring original compositions or royalty-free tracks.
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