Overview
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom shared an AI-generated video depicting President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller in handcuffs.
- Newsom’s post replied to an official White House video on X that paired ICE raid footage with SZA’s “Big Boy” and the caption “WE HEARD IT’S CUFFING SZN,” promoting immigration enforcement.
- SZA publicly rebuked the White House for using her song in the enforcement video, calling the tactic “evil” and “boring.”
- Trump allies condemned Newsom’s AI clip, with Peter Navarro accusing him of inciting violence; Newsom responded to Navarro’s critique with a snowflake emoji.
- The viral exchange adds to months of friction between Newsom and the administration over immigration operations and fuels debate over AI-generated political content and artistic consent.