Politics Or Playground? The Childish Antics Of The Trump Administration

In an era where “memes” and “jokes” are shared on official government accounts, often at the expense of entire communities or religions by making them the “butt” of the joke. This quickly blurs the line between public service and performance, one must ask whether or not these antics are simply cringeworthy, or whether they are legitimately dangerous.

A Posting Pattern

Traditionally, presidential conduct has been defined by dignity, restraint, and a sense of responsibility to all Americans. Presidents, regardless of political party, have historically approached public communication with care, recognizing the power of their words and the symbolism of their actions. That standard has dramatically shifted under the Trump administration. From Trump’s first term through the present day, official communications have frequently resembled internet trolling more than statesmanship. Memes, doctored videos, and culture war taunts have repeatedly been used to rally supporters, trigger opponents, and dominate headlines—often with little regard for decorum or respect.

One early example came in July 2017, when President Trump tweeted a doctored WWE clip showing himself body-slamming someone with the CNN logo superimposed on their face—an act widely condemned as inciting violence against the press. In September 2020, the Trump War Room (a campaign-run account) tweeted a doctored video of Joe Biden digitally inserted into a Catholic procession, seemingly mocking his religious devotion while courting evangelical voters. Most recently, in May 2025, the official White House account posted an AI-generated image of President Trump holding a red lightsaber — traditionally used by villains in the Star Wars universe — flanked by bald eagles, to celebrate May the Fourth. The imagery was widely criticized as tone-deaf and juvenile.

These are not isolated incidents. They form a pattern: a presidency and now a returning administration that deliberately blurs the line between politics and performance, statecraft and spectacle. In doing so, the Trump team has frequently alienated entire communities—journalists, veterans, religious groups — and redefined what many Americans thought leadership was supposed to look like.

Weaponization: Memes As Political Tools

The Trump administration has strategically harnessed internet culture, particularly memes, to engage supporters and provoke opponents. This approach has transformed traditional political communication into a form of digital performance art, often blurring the lines between official policy and online spectacle. One prominent example is the administration's use of AI-generated images to craft provocative narratives. As stated previously state, the official White House X account posted an image depicting President Trump wielding a red lightsaber, flanked by bald eagles, to commemorate Star Wars Day. The choice of a red lightsaber, typically associated with the Sith in the Star Wars universe, sparked widespread debate about the symbolism and intent behind the image. 

Beyond individual posts, the administration has cultivated a broader media strategy that mirrors the tactics of modern influencers. The White House has launched a Drudge Report-style news website and produced content such as ASMR deportation videos and animated portrayals of ICE arrests. These efforts aim to create viral content that resonates with the MAGA base while sidestepping traditional media channels. This deliberate blending of governance and meme culture represents a significant shift in political communication. By embracing the aesthetics and strategies of internet culture, the Trump administration has redefined how political messages are crafted and disseminated, prioritizing virality and engagement over traditional decorum and discourse.

Mocking War Heroes, Veterans, and Religion

Aside from purely online actions, in July 2015, during a campaign event in Iowa, Donald Trump questioned Senator John McCain’s status as a war hero, stating, “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” McCain, a Navy pilot,was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam for over five years. Trump’s remarks drew widespread condemnation from Democrats and Republicans alike, who viewed the comments as a denigration of McCain’s military service. Later that year, at a rally in South Carolina, Trump appeared to mock New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has a congenital joint condition. While defending a disputed claim about Muslims cheering during the 9/11 attacks, Trump flailed his arms and mimicked Kovaleski’s physical condition, saying, “Now the poor guy, you ought to see this guy.” The incident was widely criticized as insensitive and offensive.

The administration’s use of religious imagery has also sparked controversy. On June 1st, 2020, amid protests following the death of George Floyd, law enforcement officers forcibly cleared peaceful demonstrators from Lafayette Square in Washington D.C. Shortly thereafter, President Donald Trump walked to St. John’s Episcopal Church and held up a Bible for a photo opportunity. The act was condemned by religious leaders, including Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, who stated, “He did not pray. He did not offer a word of solace to those who are grieving. He used our sacred text as a prop.” In another instance, following the death of Pope Francis in 2025, Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope. The post drew sharp criticism from Catholic leaders Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York described the image as “not good,” while the New York State Catholic Conference called it “disrespectful.” Despite the backlash, Vice President JD Vance defended the post, stating he was “fine with people telling jokes.”

These instances reflect a broader pattern within the Trump administration of using mockery and provocative imagery to engage supporters and provoke opponents. While such tactics may energize certain segments of the base, they have also drawn criticism for undermining the dignity of public office and alienating various communities.

Eroding Public Discourse and Democratic Norms

The Trump administration’s embrace of internet culture – particularly memes, mockery, and spectacle – has had a measurable impact on American political life. By treating the presidency like a personal brand and the White House as a content studio, this administration has blurred the line between governance and performance. The result is a degraded public discourse, one in which serious debate is often replaced by viral trolling and policy decisions are drowned out by manufactured outrage. This shift has influenced more than just style; it has reshaped how Americans engage with democracy itself. Instead of fostering dialogue, the administration has cultivated an “us-versus-them” political climate, in which opponents are mocked rather than debated, and disagreement is framed as disloyalty. Institutions like the press, the courts, and even religious communities have been publicly ridiculed or undermined when they posed challenges to the administration’s narrative.

Social media platforms, designed to reward attention and controversy, have only amplified this trend. Studies show that the misinformation spreads faster than the truth online, and outrage garners more engagement than nuance. The Trump administration’s communications strategy has capitalized on this dynamic, leaning into sensationalism over substance – often at the expense of clarity, civility, and unity. It is incredibly easy for the Trump administration to rile it’s base by posting absurd lies about communities, whether it be religions, transgender people, or others. Even more concerning is the normalization of this behavior. Future candidates, regardless of party, may feel the need to mimic the Trump style to gain attention, dearing that restraint will mean invisibility in the chaotic churn of internet politics. When public officials prioritize memes over meaningful policy, or ridicule over reconciliation, democracy becomes not just divisive, but performative –  and less able to address the real needs of the people.

Conclusion: The Cost Of The Circus

The Trump administration’s communications strategy – filled with memes, mockery, and internet-age antics – may have entertained some, but it has deeply damaged the norms that once anchored American public life. By prioritizing provocation over professionalism and spectacle over substance, the presidency has been transformed into a kind of performance art, one where the shock factor is the message. While supporters may defend these tactics as bold or “refreshingly honest,” the long-term consequences are serious. Respect for institutions has eroded. Marginalized groups have been mocked and dismissed. Public trust in government has frayed, and political conversation has become increasingly hostile and performative.

This behavior isn’t just unbecoming – it’s dangerous. When the highest office in the land embraces trolling as governance, it sends a message to the rest of the country: cruelty is strength, and politics is just a game. At a time when democracy is under strain around the world, the U.S. cannot afford to make a joke of its own institutions. The presidency should be a source of stability – not chaos – a symbol of unity, not division. As young people and future leaders, we must decide what kind of leadership we expect, and demand better than what we’ve been shown.