Four-time Grammy winner Lizzo is once again making headlines, this time for a fashion statement that’s equal parts cheeky and politically charged.
During her appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Lizzo used her wardrobe to weigh in on one of President Donald Trump’s most controversial economic moves.
Lizzo Slams Trump’s Tariffs With Bold ‘TARIFFIED’ Top During ‘SNL’ Performance
While performing a medley of “Love in Real Life” and “Still Bad,” Lizzo, born Melissa Jefferson, took the Studio 8H stage in a sleeveless black crop top emblazoned with the word “TARIFFIED” in bold red letters.
Paired with black sequin hot pants adorned with silver stars, fishnet stockings, and red patent leather heels, Lizzo’s look delivered a not-so-subtle jab at Trump’s recent tariff hike on Chinese goods, which raised rates up to 145%.
The president has defended the decision as a strategy to boost U.S. manufacturing and protect American jobs, but critics, Lizzo among them, aren’t letting the move go unnoticed.
Her Bold ‘SNL’ Statement Sparks Mixed Reactions
After images from the performance surfaced on X, formerly Twitter, reactions to her message were swift and divided. Some users called out the singer for inserting politics into pop culture, while others accused her of performative activism.
“You’re a rich artist trying to be relatable,” one user wrote. Another questioned, “Is mixing politics with pop culture a smart move or just a superficial stunt?”
Some went further, referencing ongoing backlash toward the singer amid past controversies.
One user wrote, “Lizzo is refusing to accept that she has made herself utterly unlikable by her actions. Her sh-tty behavior as a boss, as well as her disrespectful comments about Britney Spears. She left a bad taste in our mouths that won’t go away.”
Love It Or Hate It, Lizzo’s ‘SNL’ Statement Has Everyone Talking
Not everyone was critical, though. Others saw the moment as bold, playful, and unapologetic.
“Lizzo rocking that ‘Tariffied’ tee on ‘SNL’, loved it!” one fan posted.
Another declared, “Lizzo pulling up to ‘SNL’ in a ‘Tariffied’ tee is the kind of subtle chaos we live for.”
The “Good as H-ll” singer has made no secret of her political views. A vocal supporter of former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election, Lizzo took aim at Trump during a Michigan rally last October after he compared Detroit to a “developing nation.”
“I’m so proud to be from this city,” Lizzo said at the time. “You know, they say if Kamala Harris wins, then the whole country will be like Detroit, okay? Proud like Detroit. Resilient like Detroit.”
“We’re talking about the same Detroit that innovated the auto industry and the music industry, so put some respect on Detroit’s name!”
Lizzo Shows Support For Kamala Harris
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA
Ahead of the presidential election, Lizzo showed support for Kamala Harris, telling her fans, “They say if Kamala wins, then the whole country will be like Detroit.”
“Proud like Detroit; resilient like Detroit,” she continued. “We’re talking about the same Detroit that innovated the auto industry and the music industry, so put some respect on Detroit’s name.”
Although Michigan had the highest youth voter turnout in the 2022 midterms, participation declined in this year’s primary, prompting Lizzo to urge Detroiters not to lose hope.
“If your vote didn’t matter, then voter suppression would not exist. If your vote didn’t matter, they wouldn’t discourage young people from going to the polls. If your vote didn’t matter, our parents and our grandparents would not have marched and fought for our right to vote,” the “About D-mn Time” singer said.
Continuing To Use Her Voice
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA
Following Harris’ defeat in the November election, Lizzo took to social media with a brief but heartfelt message of “LOVE to everyone in the WORLD.”
Now, with just one word on a crop top, Lizzo has reignited conversation about how entertainers engage with politics, and whether statements like hers are a necessary disruption or simply adding fuel to an already polarized fire.
