Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
During previous government shutdowns, both Democratic and Republican leaders have tried to demonstrate that they are taking the situation very seriously. Even if leaders aren’t genuinely concerned about the furloughed federal employees and the stalled work of Washington, they at least want to ensure the other side takes the blame.
President Trump is trying a somewhat different approach: repeatedly posting racist AI-generated videos featuring Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries.
Trump posted the first video on Monday night, hours after meeting with the Democrats to negotiate a way to avoid the impending shutdown. In the video, Fake Jeffries wears a sombrero and a giant mustache. Meanwhile, Fake Schumer says over mariachi music:
There’s no way to sugarcoat it — nobody likes Democrats anymore. We have no voters left because of our woke, trans bullshit. Not even Black people want to vote for us anymore; even Latinos hate us. So we need new votes. And if we give all these illegal aliens free health care, we might be able to get them on our side so they can vote for us. They can’t even speak English, so they won’t realize we’re just a bunch of woke pieces of shit; you know, at least for a while, until they learn English and realize they hate us too.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2025
For those not fluent in false and idiotic MAGA memes, the Mexican theme is meant to highlight their bogus claim that Democrats are demanding free health care for “illegal aliens.” While Trump’s Truth Social feed is always filled with nasty insults and AI slop, this wasn’t something he just casually reposted. He clearly wanted everyone to see it, as he also shared the video on X.
Jeffries called the post “disgusting” in an appearance on MSNBC, adding, “We’re going to continue to make clear bigotry will get you nowhere.” The following day, cameras caught Democratic representative Madeleine Dean confronting House Speaker Mike Johnson about the video, begging him to speak out against it. The strongest condemnation the Speaker could muster was telling her, “I think it wasn’t my style.”
New — Just saw Dem Rep. Madeleine Dean confront Speaker Johnson off House floor over CR, health care, recessing chamber, Trump’s speech.And on Trump’s AI video, Johnson says “it wasn’t my style." Dean: “Not your style? It’s disgraceful. It’s racist. You should call it out.” pic.twitter.com/Ykw8Mx2r6y
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) September 30, 2025
If Johnson said anything privately to Trump, which seems doubtful, he didn’t listen. A little over an hour before the shutdown went into effect at midnight on Wednesday, Trump shared a second racist deepfake video. It showed the clip of Jeffries condemning the first video on MSNBC but added in a sombrero, mustache, and all-Trump mariachi band.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2025
Trump also posted some photos from his negotiations with Democratic leaders in the Oval Office, which prominently featured “Trump 2028” hats.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2025
Jeffries confirmed on CNN that the hats weren’t an AI invention: They actually “just randomly appeared in the middle of the meeting on the desk.” He said he asked the vice-president if he had an issue with Trump suggesting he’ll seek an unconstitutional third term.
“I just looked at the hat, looked at J.D. Vance, who was seated to my left, and said, ‘Don’t you got a problem with this?’ and he said, ‘No comment,’” Jeffries said. “And that was the end of it.”
So it seems like Trump is more interested in trolling Democrats than negotiating with them — almost like he wants this shutdown to drag on for some reason. But surely other administration officials are upset by Trump’s offensive and unserious negotiation tactics?
Nah! When asked about Trump’s trolling social-media posts on Wednesday afternoon, Vance suggested we all need to lighten up.
“Oh, I think it’s funny!” the vice-president said. “The president is joking, and we’re having a good time. You can negotiate in good faith while also poking a little bit of fun at some of the absurdities of the Democrats’ positions and even poking some fun at the absurdities of the Democrats themselves.”
Vance added, “I’ll tell Hakeem Jeffries right now: I make this solemn promise to you that if you help us reopen the government, the sombrero memes will stop.”
Q: You said you’re interested in good faith negotiations, but is it helpful to post pictures of Leader Jeffries in a sombrero if you’re trying to have good faith talks?JD VANCE: Oh! I think it’s funny! The president is joking and we’re having a good time. pic.twitter.com/TZt9RUKuxM
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 1, 2025
So if you aren’t “having a good time” with this shutdown, that’s really on you. Have you tried experiencing it as an extremely powerful white guy who doesn’t have to worry about losing a few paychecks?
More on the Government Shutdown
Vance Explains Trump’s Racist Shutdown Posts Are ‘Funny’The Government Shutdown Has Begun: Live UpdatesHow the Government Shutdown Will End
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