It’s no secret President Donald Trump holds a below par reputation when it comes to social media due to his harsh rhetoric and theatrical approach to politics. However, the White House’s account, which is typically more respected and professional, is now receiving similar scrutiny, and rightfully so. The White House’s recent posts surrounding immigration and deportation are entirely inhumane and unprofessional.
One route the White House social media team is taking is creating Ghibli-style cartoons depicting serious events. Virginia Basora-Gonzalez was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for fentanyl trafficking charges. Above the post on X revealing the news, the White House posted one of these Ghibli-style images of her being arrested. Although it is a serious conviction, the way the White House animated the image of Basora-Gonzalez crying creates a distorted reality that pokes fun at these situations when they are objectively serious.
In a choice that received even more pushback, the White House made a video titled, “ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight.” ASMR trends or viral videos are typically watched for satisfaction or relaxation, but this video took a different approach. It featured chains and handcuffs rattling, along with the plane engine stirring – a complete misuse of ASMR trends. Political arguments aside, the principle of this video satirizes a serious and traumatic event for families and individuals.
According to MSNBC, “Such deportation operations took place during former President Joe Biden's term as well. But the Trump administration’s attempts to make a public spectacle out of its mass deportation efforts — which has included Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delivering sinister warnings to undocumented immigrants that the government will ‘hunt you down’ — underscores its dehumanization of immigrant communities.”
This analysis highlights the difference in morals and ethics between administrations as well as what the current administration is putting their time into, such as recording deportations to make an ASMR video.
On Valentine’s Day, the White House played into the annual trend of online Valentines cards. Above Trump and border czar Tom Homan's heads read, “Roses are red. Violets are blue. Come here illegally, and we will deport you.” This completely reduced the ongoing policy issues of immigration and deportation to what the White House thought of as a humorous holiday trend.
In an interview with Time Magazine, Voto Latino said, “This post was deliberately crafted to provoke and sow division, but the struggles of immigrant families are not a joke. Using a lighthearted holiday to demean and target communities is not only irresponsible—it is beneath the dignity of the presidency.”
Despite the backlash, the themes of the accounts have remained consistent, and no accountability has been taken for the posts. In one recent Instagram video, the White House posted clips of deportations to "Closing Time" by Semisonic. The lyrics were completely skewed to that of a dark, harsh undertone – highlighting the administration’s willingness to dehumanize and cause offense.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the band said, “We did not authorize or condone the White House’s use of our song in any way. And no, they didn’t ask. The song is about joy and possibilities and hope, and they have missed the point entirely.”
The White House’s social media platforms are being completely misused. Social media is extremely powerful and influential, and posts that dehumanize and make fun of serious situations such as immigration and deportation can have unconscious effects that work to further divide society.
Layne Rey is a senior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Layne know by tweeting her @laynerey12.
