MEMETIC MELODRAMA

NEITHER FRANKLIN THE TURTLE NOR SABRINA CARPENTER WANT TO APPEAR IN TRUMP POSTS

- STORY: MICHAEL LEVENSON / NYT

At first blush, Franklin the Turtle would seem to have little in common with Sabrina Carpenter, the pop star whose songs explore lust, power and deception.

But the two share at least one bond. Neither wants to be featured in social media posts by US President Donald Trump's administration.

On Tuesday, Carpenter slammed the Trump administration for using her song Juno in a video posted on the White House's official X account that mocked protesters opposed to President Trump's immigration crackdown, and showed federal agents handcuffing, tackling and chasing people.

Carpenter replied to the post on X, writing: “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda”

Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, responded to Carpenter in an email that referred to the title of her sixth full-length album, released last year.

“Here's a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: We won't apol-ogise for deporting dangerous criminal illegal murderers, rapists and paedo-philes from our country,’ Jackson said. “Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?” (Carpenter’s song Manchild includes the lyrics: “Stupid. Or is it slow?”)

On Monday, the Toronto-based publisher of the Franklin the Turtle children's book series condemned ameme posted by Defence Secretary Pete Heg-seth that depicted an imaginary book in the series titled “Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists”.