NEED TO KNOW
- SZA criticized the Trump White House for using her song “Big Boys” in an ICE video without permission
- The video featured ICE officers making arrests, with a caption referencing “cuffing season” to promote immigration enforcement
- Other artists, including Sabrina Carpenter, have also condemned the administration for using their music in similar videos
SZA is calling out Donald Trump’s administration after her music was used in a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) video that she says was designed to provoke artists into reacting publicly.
Her criticism comes amid growing tension between musicians who have objected to their songs being used in political messaging without approval. Others who have publicly shared their frustration include Olivia Rodrigo, Jack White, Céline Dion, Bruce Springsteen, Linkin Park, R.E.M., Neil Young and most recently, Sabrina Carpenter, who just last week slammed the Trump Administration for using one of her songs to promote ICE arrests.
The White House responded to Carpenter’s viral response by quietly removing the video — before doubling down with a second video, this time using her likeness. And on Monday, Dec. 8, they shared a new video, this time dragging SZA into the conversation.
Set to Grammy winner’s song, “Big Boys,” the clip featuring ICE officers in military-style fatigues carrying out arrests.
The White House’s caption read, “WE HEARD IT’S CUFFING SZN. Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America.”
SZA, 34, quickly condemned both the message and the use of her work.
“White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK ..inhumanity + shock and aw tactics … Evil n Boring”” she wrote in an X post on Wednesday, Dec. 10, calling the decision to pair her track with the video “rage baiting artists” for engagement.
After SZA’s post gained traction, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responded directly, using the moment to amplify the administration’s message instead of addressing the rights concerns artists have raised.
“Thank you, SZA, for drawing even more attention to the tremendous work America’s ICE officers are doing by arresting dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities,” Jackson said.
“Big Boys,” which SZA recorded for a 2022 Saturday Night Live digital short, was part of a comedic music video that became a fan favorite during her guest appearance.
Another SNL clip, featuring Carpenter and Marcello Hernández, was used in the White House’s account on Friday, Dec. 5. The clip used footage of the pair promoting the “Espresso” singer’s SNL gig, with a play on her Short n’ Sweet tour tradition of “arresting” stars in the crowd.
“I think I might need to arrest someone for being too hot,” Carpenter said in the clip — though the White House changed her words from “hot” to “illegal” instead. “Well, I turn myself in,” Hernández said.
“You’re under arrest—,” Carpenter then said, before a montage of various footage of ICE officers detaining people played.
“This video is evil and disgusting,” Carpenter had previously said, when her song “Juno” was used in a similar montage depicting ICE raids shared by the White House. “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
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