SZA has become the latest musician to blast the White House for their use of her music in a pro-ICE ad, calling their post “evil and boring.”
The White House posted a video on X using SZA’s “Big Boys,” her song from an SNL sketch that aired in Dec. 2022 (SZA was the musical guest, while Keke Palmer served as host). While “Big Boys” is about how larger men can provide warmth in the winter, the White House took the line “It’s cuffing season” for immigration enforcement. “WE HEARD IT’S CUFFING SZN,” the White House’s ad reads, across footage of arrests. “Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America.”
SZA’s former manager, Terrence “Punch” Henderson, first addressed the post on X, writing, “Trying to provoke artist to respond in order to help spread propaganda and political agendas is nasty business. Knock it off.” SZA then made her own comments: “White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK ..inhumanity +shock and aw tactics ..Evil n Boring.”
SZA follows several musicians who have spoken out about the Donald Trump administration’s use of their music, particularly with ICE propaganda. Just last week, Sabrina Carpenter slammed the White House’s use of “Juno” in a social media video that featured ICE agents making arrests. “This video is evil and disgusting,” she said. “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.”
Despite Carpenter’s response, the White House followed that up with another video using her material. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement to Rolling Stone, “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 defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?”
Last month, Olivia Rodrigo called out Trump and the Department of Homeland Security for using “All-American Bitch” in an ICE deportation video. “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda,” she said in a since-deleted post. In response to Rolling Stone‘s request for comment, a DHS spokesperson said, “America is grateful all the time for our federal law enforcement officers who keep us safe. We suggest Ms. Rodrigo thank them for their service, not belittle their sacrifice.”
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