By Andrew Wilson
This past week, the Trump administration took to X to launch political statements featuring pop culture figures such as the Canadian children’s character Franklin, and Grammy Award-winning singer Sabrina Carpenter.
On Nov. 30, U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted an AI-generated book cover of Paulette Bourgeois’s beloved character, Franklin Turtle, shooting at drug boats with a rocket-propelled gun on a helicopter, titled “A Classic Franklin Story: Franklin Targets Narco Terrorists.”
Hegseth also wrote a caption which reads, “For your Christmas wish list…,” The post gained millions of views and over 19,000 comments eliciting mixed reactions to the secretary’s actions.
University of Maryland students shared their opinions on how the administration used these pop culture figures to convey their political statements.
Jonathan Wu, a junior computer science major, shared his neutral opinions about how the administration’s use of tactics can have consequences when promoting their agenda.
“I believe it’s fair game, but you also have to realize there will be consequences if it’s used in the wrong way,” Wu said.
Grace Brockington, a sophomore political science and journalism major, also shared her views on politicians and how they perceive their audience.
“I feel like politicians are really trying to connect to an audience, and not doing research on their political standing is unjust,” Brockington said. “I really feel like they shouldn’t do that.”
On Dec. 2, the White House posted a now-deleted video showing ICE officers detaining people while overplaying a line from Carpenter’s song “Juno.” The singer left a comment expressing her frustrations with the post on X.
“This video is evil and disgusting,” Carpenter wrote. “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
After the artist’s response, the White House posted another video on TikTok, editing a clip from Carpenter’s October appearance on Saturday Night Live, making it look like she said the word “illegal” during her segment with a caption, “PSA: If you’re a criminal illegal, you WILL be arrested & deported.”
Liya Tadesse, a management studies graduate student, said she noticed a lack of professionalism in recent politics over the years and is aware of what might come if it continues.
“I definitely believe with this new administration, I’ve seen a lack of professionalism,” Tadesse said. “I’ve seen it during the previous administrations, but I fear where this could lead in the future if this is the tone they’re setting.”
Featured Image: Screenshots taken by Andrew Wilson via X.