The Dangers of "Terminally Online" Politics: When Memes Mask Malice
Sara Pequeño’s recent article in USA Today delivers a scathing critique of the Trump administration’s embrace of meme culture and its implications for American democracy. Pequeño argues that what appears as harmless humor is in fact a calculated strategy to normalize cruelty, distract from policy failures, and consolidate power. The article highlights specific instances of the administration’s online behavior, demonstrating how seemingly innocuous jokes mask policies that directly harm vulnerable populations. It serves as a warning against complacency and a call for a more serious, substantive approach to political discourse, particularly on social media.
The article begins with a sense of disillusionment. Pequeño expresses surprise at the extent to which online humor and meme culture have become tools in the hands of those seeking to undermine democratic principles. She laments the transformation of Donald Trump into a "living meme," driven by a desire to be a bully and fueled by false bravado. This sets the stage for a detailed examination of specific examples of the administration’s use of humor, revealing the disturbing reality beneath the surface.
One of the most striking examples cited is the White House’s X post featuring an "ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight 🔊." The video, with its sounds of airplanes and the clinking of chains, depicts the deportation of migrants in a cold and dehumanizing manner. The caption, framed as a soothing ASMR experience, trivializes the suffering of those being forcibly removed from their homes and families. Pequeño aptly points out the cruelty inherent in this type of content, arguing that it reflects a fundamental lack of empathy and a willingness to exploit the pain of others for political gain.
Another instance of this troubling trend is the Valentine’s Day poem shared by the White House account. The poem, featuring the floating heads of Trump and border czar Tom Homan surrounded by pink hearts, delivers a chilling message: "Roses are red, violets are blue, come here illegally, and we’ll deport you." This seemingly lighthearted post normalizes the harsh reality of deportation and presents it as a form of romantic retribution. By framing these policies as jokes, the administration seeks to desensitize the public to the human cost of its actions.
Pequeño goes on to argue that this embrace of meme culture extends beyond individual posts. She points to the "department named for a meme" and the man who "bought Twitter so people would laugh at his jokes" as further evidence of the administration’s commitment to online spectacle over substantive governance. The result, she argues, is a haphazard dismantling of the federal government, with real consequences for people’s lives.
The author emphasizes that these are not just harmless jokes. She emphasizes that people’s lives are being ruined by the policies being pushed by the administration, and the jokes only make that impact sting more.
Pequeño notes that she previously criticized President Biden for trying to become a social media influencer, highlighting that she disapproves of any use of humor to trivialize political discussion, no matter the party. She further draws a distinction between the Democrats’ attempts at humor and the Republicans’ approach, arguing that the former were "dorky, but they weren’t mean or designed to actively hurt people." In contrast, the Republicans’ jokes are often at the expense of marginalized groups and serve to reinforce divisive narratives.
Another particularly egregious example cited by Pequeño is Trump’s video depicting Gaza as a gaudy artificial intelligence version of paradise. The video, featuring belly dancers, Trump memorabilia, and Trump sunbathing alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, trivializes the suffering of the Gazan people and mocks the ongoing conflict. Pequeño rightly condemns this video as a "horrible" and insensitive attempt at humor, especially given the immense loss of life in the region.
The author also mentions the SpongeBob SquarePants meme Trump posted in response to an email demanding to know what federal employees had accomplished in the past week. This meme, she argues, sent people into a panic and further undermined public trust in the government. The article concludes with a pointed question: "Ask yourself this if you find Trump’s memes funny. What has the administration or the Republican Congress done to help your life?" This challenges readers to critically examine the impact of the administration’s policies and to recognize the disconnect between the online spectacle and the lived realities of everyday Americans.
Pequeño calls on the Democratic Party to resist the urge to engage in meme warfare and instead focus on substantive policy discussions. She urges Democrats to use social media to educate the public about the major changes happening in government and to hold those in power accountable. "Leave the comedy to the professionals," she writes, "and dig deep into issues that matter."
In conclusion, Sara Pequeño’s article is a powerful indictment of the dangers of "terminally online" politics. It exposes the ways in which meme culture can be used to normalize cruelty, distract from policy failures, and consolidate power. It serves as a call for a more serious, substantive, and empathetic approach to political discourse, one that prioritizes the well-being of all Americans over the pursuit of fleeting online validation. The article reminds us that politics is not a game, and that the consequences of our choices are very real. We cannot afford to laugh along as our democracy is eroded by those who prioritize spectacle over substance.
