SZA Criticizes White House Over Use of Her Song in Pro-ICE Post
SZA has publicly criticized the White House for appropriating her song in support of ICE, labeling the action as “evil” and “boring.” This response came after the White House featured her track “Big Boy,” originally showcased in a December 2022 SNL sketch, in a recent social media post.
SZA’s Response to the White House
In her statement on Twitter, SZA expressed her outrage over the White House’s decision to use her music for what she termed “rage baiting.” She stated, “White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK ..inhumanity +shock and aw tactics. Evil n Boring.”
ICE Promotion Under Scrutiny
The controversial post from the White House highlighted the actions of ICE agents making arrests, linking them to the lyrics of her song. The White House tweeted, “We heard it’s cuffing szn,” implying that the arrests were beneficial for America.
- SZA’s song used: “Big Boy”
- Date of original broadcast: December 2022
- Initial tweet by the White House: “Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America.”
SZA’s Manager Weighs In
Following SZA’s statement, her manager, Punch, also addressed the issue on X. He criticized the White House for attempting to provoke artists into responding to further their political agenda.
Official Response from the White House
In reaction to the backlash, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson commented to Variety, thanking SZA for bringing attention to the “tremendous work” of ICE officers in apprehending “dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities.”
Other Artists Joining the Conversation
SZA’s critique is part of a broader trend among artists speaking out against the government for repurposing their songs for political messaging. Recently, Sabrina Carpenter condemned the Trump administration for using her song “Juno” in a video showcasing ICE raids. She remarked that the video was “evil and disgusting,” and emphasized that her music should not be used to support inhumane agendas.
Subsequent White House Actions
In a follow-up activity, the White House released another clip of Carpenter with audio altered to make it appear as if she was calling a cast member “illegal,” instead of “hot.” This further fueled the ongoing debate about the misuse of artists’ work in political contexts.
