In a resounding and unequivocal defense of its law enforcement mission, the Trump administration has forcefully refused to issue an apology after pop singer Sabrina Carpenter condemned the use of her song in an official Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) video, with a White House spokeswoman delivering a blistering retort that underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to public safety and border security. The confrontation began when the White House’s official X account posted a video featuring the deportations of criminal illegal aliens, set to Carpenter’s track “Juno,” accompanied by a caption using the song’s lyrics: “Have you ever tried this one? Bye-bye.” This creative and pointed use of popular culture to highlight the administration’s successful enforcement actions triggered a furious response from the left-wing artist, who attempted to cast the lawful removal of dangerous individuals as a moral outrage.
Sabrina Carpenter, an actress and singer known for her far-left political advocacy including promotion of transgender ideology, responded directly to the video with a statement of moral condemnation, writing: “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” This characterization of ICE’s work—targeting criminal aliens for deportation—as “evil” and “inhumane” is a perfect encapsulation of the radical left’s worldview, which prioritizes the sensitivities of activists and the unfettered rights of illegal immigrants over the safety and security of American citizens. It is a worldview that the Biden administration embraced and that the Trump administration is now systematically dismantling.
The White House’s response was swift, uncompromising, and reflected the no-nonsense approach that has become a hallmark of President Trump’s leadership. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson provided a statement to Axios that left no room for ambiguity or retreat. She declared, “Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: we won’t apologize for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country.” This statement performs a crucial public service by redirecting the conversation from the abstract complaints of a celebrity to the concrete, horrific crimes committed by those ICE is removing—crimes that victimized American families under the previous administration’s failed policies.
NEW: White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson sent me a statement on Carpenter's comment:
"Here's a Short n' Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: we won't apologize for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists, and pedophiles from our country. Anyone who would… https://t.co/NxDrbx8fPu
— Herb Scribner (@HerbScribner) December 2, 2025
Jackson’s statement went further, posing a blunt and necessary question to Carpenter and her ideological allies who rush to defend criminal aliens. She asked, “Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?” This rhetorical challenge cuts to the heart of the debate, exposing the utter absurdity and moral bankruptcy of a position that sympathizes with violent predators over their innocent victims. It underscores the administration’s refusal to be shamed or silenced by elite cultural figures who are profoundly disconnected from the consequences of open-border advocacy.
This incident is not merely about a song choice; it is a microcosm of the broader cultural and political war being waged by the Trump administration against the legacy media and entertainment elite. While figures like Carpenter label the enforcement of federal immigration law as “evil,” the administration remains focused on the tangible results of that enforcement: communities made safer, families protected, and the rule of law restored. The White House’s deliberate use of a popular song in this context was a masterful piece of political communication, effectively using the left’s own cultural tools to highlight the administration’s successes and to provoke a revealing reaction from its opponents.
The singer’s own history of pushing boundaries, including receiving backlash for displaying “a new sex position” on stage during her tour, further highlights the stark contrast in values. The same cultural left that promotes explicit content for audiences including children simultaneously feigns moral horror when the government carries out its duty to remove criminals from the country. The administration’s refusal to apologize is a powerful signal that it will not capitulate to this hypocritical and damaging narrative, and that it stands firmly with the ICE officers who perform this difficult and essential work every day under the direction of President Trump.