In the past two decades, social media has played an ever-increasing role in American politics. In the last election, politicians employed platforms like TikTok and Instagram to grow their following, spread awareness about important issues and motivate voters to a degree we had never seen before.
Recently, the posts of the Trump administration on their various official White House social media accounts have been inhumane and have continuously turned human suffering into a spectacle for views.
In the 2024 election cycle, social media was more important than ever before. From Kamala Harris’ viral TikTok account, KamalaHQ, to Donald Trump’s appearance on professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau’s YouTube channel, both of the candidates’ marketing teams took advantage of the exposure these platforms offer.
While this sphere of influence is relatively new, Trump’s marketing team was able to use its powers to its advantage. By appearing on conservative hyper-masculine podcasts, Donald Trump was able to directly appeal to male voters, especially young men. He appeared for three hours on the popular Joe Rogan podcast, an interview which garnered over 57 million views on YouTube alone. His lead with this demographic is one of the main reasons he won, showing that a mastery of digital messaging is vital for any campaign.
While the views he was spreading were harmful, the method and format of these messages were not as aggressive. Through long rants on his own Truth Social and interviews on various misogynists’ platforms, Trump has amassed a following by rambling. While the content was hateful and frightening, the method of presenting it was not as sinister as it has now become. Since his devoted followers have started experimenting with memes on the White House accounts, the content has become all the more horrifying.
Since Barack Obama’s presidency, official Presidential accounts have existed across social media. With each new administration, the corresponding pages are refreshed. The handle WhiteHouse stays the same on Instagram and X, but the content is completely restarted by the incoming administration. The posts of the former administration are moved to another account to preserve them and the order of their presidency is added to the title.
Trump’s second term in office has been characterized by a complete disregard for individuals’ humanity. By slashing aid to impoverished countries, abducting legal residents and deporting individuals without due process, this administration has made clear they have no conception of basic human rights. Their recent social media posts, from Instagram to X, have made it abundantly clear that they not only disregard human suffering but also find it amusing.
Taking control of the White House social media accounts after his inauguration on Jan. 20th, Trump’s administration has attempted to partake in popular trends, but with a dark spin.
On Valentine’s Day, the White House X page posted a message that was far from loving. In the form of a valentine, with Trump’s wrinkled scowl as decoration, the post read “Roses are red, violets are blue, come here illegally and we’ll deport you.”
In a post making light of the suffering faced by individuals who have been deported, the same account posted to Instagram and X a video labeled “Deportation ASMR.” ASMR is an internet trend where influencers record satisfying and calming sounds to create sensually pleasing content. In a reel, the administration recorded the sound of chains hitting the ground, the click of handcuffs and the roar of jets as they inhumanely deported a line of individuals, whom they also recorded.
More recently, the same account posted another alarming attempt at a recent trend. Across the internet, users have been posting AI-generated pictures in the style of Studio Ghibli, the award-winning Japanese Animation studio. In a deaf attempt at participation, the White House X account posted a picture of a recently detained woman sobbing, in this style.
Virginia Basora-Gonzalez is a migrant with a criminal record who was detained by ICE agents this month. During her arrest, the woman was understandably in tears as her life was uprooted. The Trump administration mocked her suffering and further demonstrated that they have no empathy.
Other tone deaf attempts at various trends have been made, but these were the most concerning and garnered the most attention. The complete disregard of compassion by this so-called “Christian” administration is evident. This strategy is not just to please their fan base. In a more concerning mission, they are posting these terrifying images, making light of human suffering to scare immigrants from entering the country.
Through their social media presence, it is evident that the Trump administration is hell-bent on painting itself as a menacing force that holds no regard for basic human decency. If they are succeeding at nothing else, at least they are doing this well.