California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a provocative stance against the White House by creating an AI-generated video that depicts former President Donald Trump and his associates in handcuffs. This response came shortly after the White House released a controversial video using singer SZA’s song “Cuffing SZN” to illustrate operations by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency detaining suspected undocumented immigrants. Newsom’s video, posted on December 5, 2023, features Trump alongside Stephen Miller and Pete Hegseth, both prominent figures from his administration.
The original White House production has drawn significant backlash, including from SZA herself, who criticized the administration’s tactics as “Evil n Boring.” In her reaction, she expressed her frustration at the government for “baiting” artists to utilize their music for political agendas. Following this, Newsom’s AI video reimagines the narrative by showing Trump and his associates seated on a curb in handcuffs, with background elements like falling snow and wailing sirens amplifying the dramatic effect.
In the clip, the three men are further depicted in the back of a police vehicle, tears streaming down their faces while they appear to be heading towards a courthouse. Newsom’s creative approach is part of a broader strategy to counter Trump’s distinct social media presence, characterized by bold and often controversial messaging.
Newsom, who is viewed as a frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, began openly challenging Trump’s policies and persona earlier this year. His recent posts on social media aim to parody Trump’s style, employing a mix of humor and criticism. For instance, shortly after Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, Newsom shared an AI image of Trump awarding him a fictitious peace prize, emphasizing his mocking tone.
The arts community has largely condemned the White House’s use of music in political contexts. Following similar incidents, several prominent artists, including Jack White, have publicly denounced the administration for using their work without permission. White expressed his outrage over a video featuring his song “Seven Nation Army,” asserting that such actions warrant legal repercussions.
The heightened tensions surrounding immigration policies have sparked outrage within the entertainment industry, traditionally aligned with more liberal values. According to NBC’s Deportation Tracker, as of September 25, 2023, ICE had detained over 59,207 migrants. Reports indicate that approximately 2.5 million people have either been deported or have left the country voluntarily since the beginning of Trump’s immigration crackdown.
In reaction to Newsom’s video, Peter Navarro, a former advisor to Trump, criticized the governor’s approach, claiming it trivializes significant issues and incites violence. Navarro, who was sentenced to four months in prison for contempt of Congress, expressed his discontent via social media, stating, “All you are doing is inciting more violence.”
The ongoing exchange between Newsom and the Trump administration highlights the increasingly contentious political climate in the United States, particularly as the 2024 presidential election approaches. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for further comments regarding the backlash from artists and the implications of their recent video campaigns.