Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of the beloved Canadian children’s character Franklin the turtle have denounced the Trump administration’s utilization of their music and imagery to advance its agenda.
Sabrina Carpenter expressed her disapproval of her song “Juno” being used in a video montage depicting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, labeling the video as “evil and disgusting.” She took to Twitter to state, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
Similarly, Kids Can Press, the Canadian publisher of Franklin the turtle, criticized a post by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, featuring a manipulated image of Franklin holding a bazooka aimed at boats. Kids Can Press issued a statement condemning the inappropriate use of Franklin’s image, emphasizing the character’s values of kindness, empathy, and inclusivity.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell responded to the controversy, stating, “We doubt Franklin the turtle wants to be inclusive of drug cartels… or laud the kindness and empathy of narco-terrorists.”
The Trump administration’s actions in conducting strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean on small boats linked to drug trafficking have stirred outcry from various artists, including Abba, Bruce Springsteen, Olivia Rodrigo, Rihanna, and others, who have objected to the administration using their songs and copyrighted material without permission.