WASHINGTON — As federal workers and members of Congress in both parties worry about the ongoing government shutdown, President Donald Trump is phoning it in — literally — mostly with juvenile Internet memes.
Monday, after meeting with the four top legislative leaders, Trump posted on his social media platform an AI-enhanced video of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York wearing a sombrero and a giant black mustache.
On Wednesday, hours after the shutdown began, he reposted a photo of himself signing a document with the caption: “CRY ALL YOU WANT; HE’S DOING EXACTLY WHAT I HIRED HIM FOR.”
Thursday night, he posted a video mocking the federal workforce in his own executive branch who are fearful of losing their jobs with a cover of the Blue Oyster Cult classic “Don’t Fear the Reaper,” featuring his own budget director and layoff enthusiast Russ Vought wearing a hooded cloak and carrying a scythe.
Minutes later, he posted videos making fun of Jeffries and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York, individually, with the Jeffries one depicting Trump tossing a “Trump 2028” cap onto Jeffries’ head and then laughing uproariously, which manages to mock both Jeffries and the U.S. Constitution at the same time.
