Trump exploits memes to mock and dehumanize migrants

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has adopted a controversial strategy of using memes on social media platforms to promote its harsh immigration policies. This tactic notably includes the use of sadistic and seemingly humorous depictions of migrants, which cast them in a negative light. For instance, they have posted a cartoon meme of a crying undocumented migrant transformed into a Studio Ghibli style image. The reaction among the public has ranged from amusement among Trump supporters to outrage from critics who view this approach as a means of dehumanizing individuals affected by strict deportation laws. The use of memes has been characterized as not merely humorous, but as a strategic tool meant to convey messages that normalize cruelty towards migrants. By rebranding their policies with humor, Trump’s social media team attempts to obscure the severity of these policies. They have compared the process of deportation to an ASMR experience, which trivializes the real pain experienced by those being deported. Furthermore, the administration's social media practices reflect a broader trend in which the suffering of migrants is appropriated for political gain, transforming painful situations into comedic fodder. Additionally, this dehumanization is not an isolated phenomenon. Similar tactics have been observed in the practices of other leaders, such as El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who has produced videos depicting the brutal treatment of deported individuals as thrilling escapades. This alliance between Trump and Bukele signifies a shared enjoyment in publicly humiliating vulnerable populations, further entrenching a narrative that migrants are deserving of scorn. Overall, the integration of humor into the narrative surrounding immigration serves to facilitate extreme measures that increasingly sidestep due process. In this context, the administration's tactics highlight a troubling cultural shift that affects not only policy but also the public's perception of those seeking refuge. By framing migrants as 'monsters’ and mocking their plight, the administration seeks to create a social environment where the violation of their rights is accepted and even celebrated, signifying a concerning trend in political discourse.