The publisher of the popular children’s character Franklin the Turtle also denied the Trump administration’s use of its artwork.
Published December 3, 2025
Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of popular children’s character Franklin the Turtle have denied using their music or images to support US President Donald Trump’s policies.
Carpenter responded on social media to the use of his song “Juno,” from his 2024 album “Short and Sweet,” in a video montage depicting a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid, saying, “This video is evil and disgusting. Please don’t ever implicate me or my music to benefit your inhumane policies.”
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In the clip’s caption, the White House quoted Carpenter’s lyrics: “Ever try this? Bye-bye.”
White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson responded in a statement: “This is a short and sweet message to Sabrina Carpenter: We will not apologize for deporting dangerous criminals, illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country. Are those who defend this sick monster stupid or slow?”
Meanwhile, on Monday, Franklin the Turtle’s publisher Kids Can Press condemned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s post on X that featured a manipulated image showing Franklin pointing a bazooka at a boat.
Hegseth posted the image with the caption: “Franklin targets narco-terrorists.”
“Franklin the Turtle is a beloved Canadian icon who has inspired generations of children and symbolized kindness, empathy and inclusivity,” Kids Can Press said in a post shared on social media.
“We strongly condemn any defamatory, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image that directly contradicts these values,” the statement added.
Hegseth shared the video as he continues to face intense scrutiny for allegedly ordering a second fatal attack on two survivors of a raid on an alleged drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean in September. The incident has sparked calls for an investigation into possible war crimes.
pic.twitter.com/uYUF68eDyI
— KidsCanPress (@KidsCanPress) December 1, 2025
Several other artists have also spoken out against the use of their music by Trump and his team.
American singer and guitarist Kenny Loggins recently demanded the removal of a video posted by the president that featured the hit song “Danger Zone” from the movie “Top Gun.”
The video featured an AI-generated image of a fighter pilot dropping excrement on a political opponent.
In 2024, Celine Dion criticized the use of her song “My Heart Will Go On” in a campaign video, and in the same year Beyoncé responded similarly to the use of her song “Freedom”.
But Trump’s supporters include several musicians, including Victor Willis, the only remaining original member of the Village People.
Willis has publicly supported President Trump by using the band’s 1970s disco hit “YMCA” at campaign rallies, in contrast to some of his band members who have previously urged the Trump administration not to use the song, which has long been associated with the gay liberation movement.
