WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is facing significant challenges in the real world, including tackling inflation, addressing the Iranian government, and reviving American manufacturing through tariffs. However, on social media, the narrative seems quite different.
Over the recent Labor Day weekend, Trump and his team released a flood of memes that depict him as an incredibly powerful figure. One of these memes features Trump as a superhero, using the Green Lantern’s ring to effortlessly construct a wall to keep out migrants and build factories. Another image shows him in a U.S. hockey uniform, towering over Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who appears intimidated. Additionally, there’s a meme of Trump aboard a military ship attacking an enemy fleet.
Trump’s unique appeal has always been tied to a larger-than-life version of himself—first seen on “The Apprentice” and now in the White House. However, as the midterm elections approach, the contrast between these memes and the pressing realities is becoming increasingly clear. Many Americans are dissatisfied with Trump’s economic policies and his handling of the Iran conflict, yet he responds with fantastical images of himself as an unstoppable force.
Memes vs. Reality
Some of the memes are even created using artificial intelligence, and Trump’s administration has previously defended them as humorous, while dismissing critics as lacking a sense of humor. But for congressional Republicans, the stakes are high, particularly since they have linked their political futures to a president whose approval ratings are low. Trump’s party is set to feature him prominently at an unusual midterm convention in Dallas, hoping to rally voter enthusiasm.
Kevin Madden, a Republican strategist, pointed out that while Trump’s social media posts can energize his “Make America Great Again” base, they often neglect the pressing issue of inflation. “The affordability voter is driving this election cycle, and the issues they care about are anchored in the economy,” Madden said, emphasizing that memes alone won’t win over voters.
Voter Perspectives
The White House press office did not respond to requests for comments on this topic. Trump often shares memes from a vast network of online conservative supporters, while his staff also creates some as part of official messaging. Recently, they launched retro video games, including a “Tetris” inspired game called “Build the Wall.”
“The memes will continue,” said Kaelan Dorr, a member of the White House communications team. “The winning will continue.” However, many voters have a different perception of Trump. They see rising gas prices, currently averaging $4.15 per gallon—up nearly 30% from the previous year—as a direct result of the Iran conflict. Furthermore, social media is filled with discussions regarding Trump’s health and energy level, especially when images of him with bruised hands or seeming to doze off in meetings circulate.
Trump’s aides attribute the bruising to “frequent handshaking” and his aspirin regimen, firmly denying that he has fallen asleep during meetings. His predecessor, President Joe Biden, who is three years older, faced similar scrutiny regarding his age while in office. Biden’s team even embraced a meme depicting him with lasers for eyes, portraying him as powerful and focused rather than frail.
The Risks of Memes
Andrew Bates, a former deputy press secretary for Biden, remarked that Trump’s memes appear to distract from the actual responsibilities of governance. He noted that such memes might alienate voters who perceive Trump as being more preoccupied with social media antics than with resolving the Iran crisis or lowering gas prices.
“When a president who ran on bringing gas prices under $2 a gallon is now saying, ‘You’re at four dollars, it’s OK,’ it makes sense that he’s also posting fever dreams,” Bates said.
Some memes have even resulted in backlash for Trump. For instance, he once posted an image of himself as Jesus, which sparked controversy among supporters. He later claimed he believed the meme depicted him as a medical doctor. In another instance, Trump shared a racist video of former President Barack Obama and his wife, which he quickly deleted after facing criticism. Last October, he shared a video showing him in a fighter jet dumping waste on Americans protesting against his policies.
Despite the extensive meme campaign, these tactics have not significantly improved his overall approval ratings. A July AP-NORC poll indicates that only 33% of U.S. adults approve of his presidency. Moreover, just 15% of Americans strongly approve of his leadership, a drop from 22% shortly after he took office.
