A tattoo artist in Arizona is under fire after inking a 9-year-old girl with an American flag, following her request for a portrait of former President Donald Trump. The controversial incident, which has sparked widespread criticism, has drawn attention to the lack of regulations surrounding tattoos for minors in the state.
Sosa, co-owner of Black Onyx Empire Tattoo in Yuma, shared the story on social media, explaining that the girl came to his shop in May with her family and asked for a tattoo of then-President-elect Donald Trump on her neck. Under Arizona law, minors can receive tattoos with parental consent.
In an attempt to steer the family away from the decision, Sosa quoted a steep $500 price for the Trump tattoo, which he claimed would typically cost $80. Despite his efforts to dissuade them, the family proceeded with the request. Ultimately, Sosa convinced the parents to choose a less controversial design—a red, white, and blue American flag on the girl’s arm.
The girl returned to the shop in January to have the tattoo retouched, specifically the red color, which Sosa completed as requested. He later shared a video of the final result on Instagram, asking his followers for their opinions on the situation. The post quickly went viral, attracting heavy backlash from both the public and the tattoo community.
Critics flooded social media, with some urging Sosa to face legal consequences. One commenter wrote, “Please no. As an artist, be the bigger person and don’t do this to a 9-year-old. Then call child services.” Another suggested that those involved should be prosecuted: “I’m heavily tattooed, and I believe anyone involved in this should be put in jail.”
Many disapproved of Sosa’s decision, saying he should have refused to tattoo the child altogether. “You should have talked yourself out of even entertaining the thought. You can’t control the parents, but you can control your own actions and should have refused service,” one critic remarked.
In defense of his actions, Sosa explained that he was motivated by concern for the girl’s safety. He told The New York Post, “She was going to get it done regardless. She said it didn’t matter if I did it or someone else did it, she was going to get it done.” He argued that by performing the tattoo in a sterile, professional environment, he ensured the process was done safely, unlike what might have happened if another artist had agreed to the original request.
Sosa also shared details about the family’s background, suggesting that their immigrant experience influenced their decision. The family, refugees from Turkey, had reportedly requested the Trump tattoo to express their gratitude for the opportunities they found in the U.S. “It was like a cultural thing,” Sosa said, adding that the girl’s older sister had also received a tattoo at age 9.
Despite the controversy, Sosa reflected on his decision, admitting, “Would I do it again? Probably not. However, I was moved by the story they had.” He also voiced concerns about the practice of tattooing minors, stating that he does not believe children should be getting tattoos and believes the law should be stricter. “I’m not tattooing kids every day. That was the first; it’s going to be the last,” Sosa said, noting that none of his own children, aged 12, 7, and 4, have tattoos.
The incident has also highlighted the lack of regulation in Arizona’s tattoo industry. Ben Shaw, from the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, criticized Sosa’s actions, saying they could damage the reputation of professional tattoo artists. “If you see a 10-year-old child with a professional tattoo and they say they got it at a tattoo shop, that degrades us as a whole,” Shaw said. He also pointed out that Arizona’s lack of regulations in this area is a significant issue.
Despite the ongoing backlash, Sosa maintains that he had the girl’s best interests in mind, but acknowledges that his decision has led to considerable online criticism, including threats and hateful comments. The controversy has raised broader questions about the ethics of tattooing minors and the need for stricter regulations in the industry.
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