White House Fires Back at SZA After She Calls Out Their ‘Rage Baiting’ Video

by

SZA has criticized the White House for using her song in a post about ICE operations. She accused the administration of deliberately provoking artists to gain free publicity, calling it a form of ‘rage baiting‘.

The White House sparked controversy by posting a video on social media of ICE agents arresting immigrants. The video used the song “Big Boy” by SZA, originally featured in a 2022 Saturday Night Live sketch. The post included lyrics from the song, stating, “We heard it’s cuffing season. Bad news for criminal illegal immigrants. Great news for America.”

WE HEARD IT’S CUFFING SZN. ⛓️

Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America.

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 9, 2025

Okay, so SZA really went in on Twitter after the White House seemed to be deliberately trying to get a rise out of her. She called it “peak dark inhumanity” and basically accused them of using shock tactics for free publicity – pretty strong words! Her manager, Punch, chimed in on X, agreeing completely. He called it a “nasty” tactic to bait artists into responding just to push a political agenda and asked them to stop. Honestly, it feels like a really messy situation, and both SZA and her team are understandably upset about being used like that.

The White House responded to SZA’s comments through spokesperson Abigail Jackson. In a statement to Variety, Jackson simply said, “Thank you, SZA.” She then added, with sarcasm, that SZA had inadvertently drawn attention to “the important work being done by ICE officers to arrest dangerous criminals who are in the country illegally and pose a threat to American communities.”

This situation is the latest in a series of complaints from artists who say the administration has used their songs in political campaigns without their approval.

Read More

2025-12-11 22:44