Trump administration social media posts criticised as inflammatory

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 03:20 · Archive

The Trump administration has circulated social media posts that critics say use inflammatory imagery ahead of elections.

The Trump administration's online accounts have circulated images that critics describe as inflammatory rhetoric. These include a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background featuring a Black man apparently accused of food assistance fraud.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted a photo on X showing the man standing before stacks of apparent U.S. currency with the headline 'SNAP FRAUDSTER', referring to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The image shows him holding a bill set aflame, with text reading 'Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence' over fake Spirit Halloween costume packaging. The White House separately posted an image of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero shape alongside the words 'Spooky szn is here.'

The posts appear to reference Mercedes Reshard New, a social media personality also known as 'Shawty Dred', who was arrested on federal charges this month for fraudulently obtaining more than four million dollars in food assistance benefits in Georgia.

The posts come days before midterm elections as the government emphasises aggressive immigration enforcement and fraud crackdowns. The administration says such efforts highlight spending on programmes like food assistance at a time when rising healthcare costs and other economic pressures have made affordability a major voter concern.

How it is being reported

• Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatoryThe Trump administration’s online accounts have circulated images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background around a Black man apparently accused of food assistance fraud.News4Jax · 1 Nov, 02:34
• Trump administration's social media posts ahead of elections criticized for being inflammatoryThe Trump administration’s online accounts have circulated images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background around a Black man apparently accused of food assistance fraud.Clickorlando · 1 Nov, 02:34

In this story: Trump administration · Brooke Rollins · Mercedes Reshard New · Georgia

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