SZA Slams White House for Using Her ‘SNL’ Cuffing Season Song in Pro-ICE Post: “Evil & Boring”
SZA has spoken out against the White House after one of her songs was used in a social media post supporting ICE operations. The singer called the move “evil” and “boring” in a series of posts on X.
The song, Big Boy, originally featured in a 2022 Saturday Night Live sketch, was used by the White House to accompany a video showing ICE agents arresting immigrants. The caption read, “We heard it’s cuffing szn. Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America.”
Reacting to the post, SZA wrote, “White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK ..inhumanity + shock and aw tactics. Evil n Boring.”
WE HEARD IT'S CUFFING SZN. ⛓️
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2025
Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America. pic.twitter.com/cuXCdJjxWY
Her manager, Punch, also commented on X, saying, “Trying to provoke [artists] to respond in order to help spread propaganda and political agendas is nasty business. Knock it off.”
SZA is not the first artist to criticize the White House for repurposing her work. Last week, singer Sabrina Carpenter condemned the use of her song Juno in a video depicting ICE raids under Donald Trump’s administration.
Carpenter called the post “evil and disgusting” and warned, “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” Shortly after, the White House replaced the original post with another clip featuring Carpenter in an SNL sketch, altering the audio in a way that targeted a cast member instead.
It’s clear that artists are becoming increasingly vocal about how their music is used in political messaging. SZA’s reaction highlights ongoing tension between creative work and political agendas.
Artists have every right to control how their music is used, especially when it’s tied to sensitive political issues. Using songs without consent for government messaging can feel manipulative and exploitative.
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