SZA criticizes White House for using her SNL performance in pro-ICE video

SZA condemns White House for using her SNL song in a pro-ICE video, joining Carpenter and Rodrigo

SZA has publicly criticized the White House after her music was used without permission in a pro-ICE video shared on its official X account.

The clip featured a song she performed on Saturday Night Live, sparking backlash from the singer and her team.

The reaction began when SZA’s manager, Punch, posted a statement denouncing the move, calling it an attempt to provoke artists into responding and spread political agendas. SZA shared the statement and added her own criticism, writing: “White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK… inhumanity + shock and aw tactics… Evil n Boring.”

White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK ..inhumanity +shock and aw tactics ..Evil n Boring 🫩 https://t.co/PIKoYEdn2y

— SZA (@sza) December 10, 2025

This incident follows similar controversies involving other young pop artists. Recently, Sabrina Carpenter condemned the White House after her song “Juno” was used in a pro-ICE video showing arrests and migrant detentions. Carpenter called the edit “evil and disgusting” and demanded her music not be used to support inhumane policies.

Weeks earlier, Olivia Rodrigo criticized the Department of Homeland Security for using her song “all-american b*tch” in a video promoting “voluntary self-deportation” flights. The clip was widely condemned for mocking migrant communities and using a female empowerment anthem for political messaging.

These incidents have raised broader questions about the unauthorized use of popular music in government communications. Artists and advocates argue that such uses exploit creative content for political purposes, often without consent, and may misrepresent the message of the original work.

The White House has not publicly responded to SZA’s comments, while the singer continues to use social media to highlight what she describes as manipulative and inhumane tactics in political messaging.