Harlow Bidwell ‘28, Opinion Editor
2025 was a year to remember, especially with it being the peak of controversy and issues of social media presence of important political voices, with many speaking up about the ignorance of the White House’s social media pages. This past year, political voices have been posting media which could be seen as insensitive to the public. The existence of this media caused an uproar of public disapproval from both left and right wing individuals. The ideals and digital footprint being laid out by America’s leader, Donald Trump, along with many other principal politicians and voices, created fear and even some appreciation for the posts. Although it started in 2025, this media continues to be posted in the new year.
The first post that started a rise of speaking out was a post made on the widespread social media app, X (Twitter). Trump tweeted, “Roses are red, violets are blue, come here illegally, and we’ll deport you.” This was posted on Feb. 14, 2025 and ended with a red heart emoji. The heartless, yet heart emojied tweet created heated debates all over social media with some calling it a joke, and others calling it an idiotic post to make with a country already so divided.
Although other posts were made in the time frame between February and May, they did not seem as bad compared to the AI-generated image of Trump dressed as the Pope in May 2025, wearing a cross, cassock, pellegrina, and other essential aspects of what the Pope would typically wear. The post caused public dispute, with the president receiving criticism from both Catholics and politicians for its insensitivity, and disrespect of religion in a country where freedom of speech and expression, including religion, are supposed to be appreciated and tolerated—not made fun of. The act was passed off as a joke, yet offended many as a result..
Unfortunately, this was not his last offense of these acts, but even going as far as posting videos on the popular social media app TikTok about deportation. All of the videos on the page consist of multiple ICE agents tackling, injuring, and capturing immigrants to popular TikTok audios. Along with a newer post that insulted the Transgender community, with a video from the popular children’s show, Spongebob, making fun of transgender weightlifters, with the caption stating, “KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS.” This was posted, again, on the White House’s TikTok page on Jan. 7.
Continuously, on Jan. 7, at around 10:25 am in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 37-year-old mother Renee Good, was fatally shot by ICE agents after allegedly attempting to run over said agents. The incident was posted on social media and immediately gained massive news attention, including from Mayor Jacob Frey, who went on to shame ICE, saying, “We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some kind of safety and you’re doing exactly the opposite.” Trump later went to X and wrote out yet another tweet. Trump then claimed that the incident was at the fault of Good, along with the radical left who were allegedly threatening, assaulting, and targeting law enforcement. “The woman screaming was, obviously, a professional agitator, and the woman was very disorderly.” Then he went on to speak on how the act was in self defense of the ICE agent, even though the woman was doing no wrong. Trump continued with, “The situation is being studied, in its entirety, but the reason these incidents are happening is because the Radical Left is threatening, assaulting, and targeting our Law Enforcement Officers and ICE Agents on a daily basis.” Footage was recorded at the time of the shooting, where Good had backed up in the opposite direction of the agents
Countless reports and public records show a clear view of the president’s confrontational approach to social media. This pattern—often seen as beneath a world leader—continues to affect the reputation of the U.S. on a global scale. At nearly 80-years-old, his tendency toward reactionary and disagreement online remains to be a significant concern for those who value presidential decency. As there is little sign of a shift in strategy, the question remains whether the nation can sustain three more years of a leadership style that many perceive as dismissive of the country’s most important relationships—the relationships between the people and the president.
Lyon Life 