Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter and the publisher of the popular Canadian children’s character Franklin the turtle have both denounced the Trump administration’s utilization of their music and imagery to promote its agenda.
In response to the use of her song “Juno” in a video montage featuring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, Carpenter took to Twitter on Tuesday to express her disapproval, stating, “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
Similarly, Kids Can Press, the Canadian publisher of Franklin the turtle, condemned a post by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth showcasing a manipulated image of Franklin holding a bazooka and aiming at boats, with the caption “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.”
A spokesperson for Kids Can Press conveyed their condemnation of the unauthorized use of Franklin’s image, emphasizing Franklin as a cherished Canadian icon promoting kindness, empathy, and inclusivity.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell responded to the controversy by 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 has been involved in multiple strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean targeting small boats suspected of transporting drugs, resulting in over 80 casualties since early September.
Several notable performers and artists, such as Abba, Bruce Springsteen, Olivia Rodrigo, Rihanna, Phil Collins, Pharrell, John Fogerty, Semisonic, Neil Young, Eddy Grant, Panic! at the Disco, R.E.M., Guns N’ Roses, Céline Dion, Beyoncé, and Adele, have voiced objections to the Trump administration’s use of their music and copyrighted material.