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WASHINGTON – Pop artist Sabrina Carpenter and the publishers behind the cherished children’s character Franklin the Turtle have publicly distanced themselves from the Trump administration’s appropriation of their music and imagery to promote its policies.
Carpenter responded to her song “Juno” being featured in a video montage of ICE raids by tweeting on Tuesday, “This video is appalling and offensive. I will not allow my music to be used to support a cruel agenda.”
In the caption for the clip, the White House quoted Carpenter’s lyrics, “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.”
And on Monday, ‘Franklin the Turtle’ publisher Kids Can Press condemned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s post on X featuring a manipulated image showing Franklin aiming a bazooka at boats. Hegseth posted the image with the caption “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.”
The publisher of Franklin the Turtle also took to social media to express their disapproval, stating, “We firmly oppose any degrading, violent, or unauthorized use of Franklin’s name or image, as it starkly opposes our core values.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has executed several strikes against small boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Since early September, these operations have reportedly resulted in over 80 fatalities.
Numerous artists have voiced their objections to the Trump administration’s use of their songs and intellectual property. This list includes notable names 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, Celine Dion, Beyoncé, and Adele.
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