White House Doubles Down on Sabrina Carpenter Video Despite Pop Star’s Protest

The White House has again used Sabrina Carpenter’s likeness in a promotional video. This new clip manipulates audio from her Saturday Night Live appearance. It comes just days after she condemned their initial use of her music.

According to Rolling Stone, the administration posted the altered video on social media Friday. It is part of a series of posts targeting immigration enforcement. The pop star has not yet publicly responded to this latest incident.

From Song to SNL Skit: Escalating Use of Pop Culture

The new video edits a skit featuring Carpenter and cast member Marcello Hernández. Her line calling him “hot” is replaced with the word “illegal.” The clip then cuts to scenes of immigration arrests.

The White House caption stated criminals will be arrested and deported. This follows a similar video earlier in the week. That one used Carpenter’s song “Juno” over footage of ICE raids.

Carpenter called that first video “evil and disgusting.” She demanded her music not be used for their “inhumane agenda.” A White House spokesperson fired back with a statement defending the deportations.

A Growing Pattern of Political Co-Option

This is not an isolated event for the current administration. Last month, a similar video used Olivia Rodrigo‘s song “All-American Bitch.” Rodrigo also issued a public rebuke on Instagram.

The pattern shows a strategy of using young pop stars’ work. The goal appears to be connecting with a younger demographic online. However, it consistently provokes strong backlash from the artists themselves.

These actions highlight the politicization of popular culture. They also raise questions about copyright and fair use for political messaging. The legal standing of such manipulated content remains unclear.

The ongoing conflict between the White House and major pop stars signals a new frontier in political messaging. The repeated use of Sabrina Carpenter video content suggests this tactic will continue, despite artist objections.

Thought you’d like to know

What was the first Sabrina Carpenter video the White House used?

The first video used her song “Juno.” It featured footage of ICE agents conducting raids and arrests. Carpenter condemned it quickly on social media.

How did the White House respond to her criticism?

A spokesperson issued a sharp statement. They defended the deportation of criminals. The statement used wordplay from her album title Short n’ Sweet.

Has this happened with other singers recently?

Yes. Last month, the administration used Olivia Rodrigo’s song. Her track “All-American Bitch” soundtracked a similar immigration video. She also told them to stop.

What are the potential legal issues here?

Using copyrighted music for political campaigning may require licensing. Manipulating video and audio from broadcast TV also raises legal questions. These are largely untested areas in court.

Where were these videos posted?

The videos were posted on official White House social media accounts. Platforms included X, formerly Twitter, and TikTok. The first “Juno” video was removed from X.