SZA criticized the White House on Wednesday after it used a song she performed in a “Saturday Night Live” sketch in a promotional video for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The clip, titled “WE HEARD IT’S CUFFING SZN,” includes “Big Boys,” a track she performed on the show in a segment about pairing up during winter months. The federal video shows ICE agents handcuffing immigrants while the song plays.
“White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK ..inhumanity +shock and aw tactics ..Evil n Boring,” SZA wrote on X. She also shared a message from her manager, Punch, who said the Trump administration was trying to provoke artists to draw attention to “propaganda and political agendas.” He called it “nasty business” and urged officials to “knock it off.”
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson replied by saying SZA’s criticism increased attention to ICE operations.
SZA joins other artists who have objected to the Trump White House using their work in videos tied to immigration enforcement or campaign messaging.
