California Governor Gavin Newsom has once again taken a jab at the White House through an AI-generated video featuring prominent figures from the Trump administration, including former President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, depicted in handcuffs. This playful yet pointed move coincides with “cuffing season,” a term that refers to the period when individuals seek romantic relationships during the colder fall and winter months.
The term has gained traction in popular culture, notably through a 2022 Saturday Night Live sketch featuring artist SZA, who sang about the season’s appeal among young people. The White House had previously adopted this concept, using a clip of SZA’s song in a video promoting Trump’s strict deportation policies, coinciding with imagery of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
In response to the White House’s video, which posted on social media stated, “WE HEARD IT’S CUFFING SZN,” offering a stern message against undocumented immigrants, Newsom utilized SZA’s song to craft his own video. In his version, he portrayed the Trump administration with their hands tied, aligning their predicament with the theme of cuffing season.
SZA herself voiced her disapproval on social media, criticizing the White House for leveraging her song for its political agenda, branding it as “PEAK DARK” and calling out the inhumanity of using artists for free promotion.
Newsom’s ongoing critique of Trump is not new; he has consistently opposed the former president’s policies, particularly regarding immigration. This has included condemning Trump’s actions, such as the deployment of the National Guard into Los Angeles to counter anti-ICE protests earlier this year.
Additionally, the governor’s critiques extend to key figures like Stephen Miller, whom he referred to as embodying a sense of cruelty during an interview. Pete Hegseth has also been under scrutiny due to recent military operations aimed at drug-carrying boats, which raised questions following reports of excessive force leading to civilian casualties.
As tensions surrounding immigration and leadership styles continue to simmer, Newsom’s social media antics illustrate not only the ongoing clash between California’s progressive policies and the Trump administration’s hardline stance but also the creative ways politicians are now engaging with contemporary culture. This playful rivalry underscores a deeper political discourse that resonates with various audiences, while offering a candid glimpse into the dynamics of American politics today.