Grammy-winning artist SZA is calling out President Trump for using her song “Big Boys” in an ICE video without her permission.
In the video, released on December 8, clips of ICE handcuffing and marching through city streets can be seen with “Big Boys” playing in the background. The White House’s caption read, “WE HEARD IT’S CUFFING SZN. Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America.”
After catching wind of the social post, SZA, 34, quickly condemned the message and the use of her work. She accused the Trump administration of “rage baiting artists” by using their work without permission.
“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.
SZA’s comments come after various music artists voiced their frustration with the administration’s unapproved usage of their songs. Last week, Sabrina Carpenter blasted the “evil and disgusting” White House for using her song “Juno” in a similar ICE video. Jay-Z, Jack White, Céline Dion, Olivia Rodrigo, are among artists who have had their music, unauthorized, used by the Trump administration.
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” was featured in a 2022 Saturday Night Live vide