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If the Jackboot fits…
On 6 September, Donald Trump bulk-posted a series of AI-generated images, in which he renamed New Mexico as “New America”, declared the Moon as US territory, and portayed himself as the Green Lantern.
During this AI slop rampage, Trump proposed new uniforms for the United States Space Force – which was established in 2019 during Trump’s first term in office.
The image Trump posted was a design mockup for a new “service dress uniform” that was “inspired by the discipline and functionality of the Starship Trooper Uniform.”
Many were quick to point out that this was a curious choice of inspiration, as Starship Troopers is a 1997 sci-fi war movie which is a cautionary tale about the dangers of fascism.
The cult film by Dutch director Paul Verhoeven is about a group of friends who enlist in the military and get swept up in an intergalactic war. Beyond fight against space bugs, Starship Troopers explores themes of misplaced patriotism, colonialism, xenophobia and violence decrying from fascistic rule.
The movie was based on the novel by Robert A. Heinlein, which Verhoeven interpreted as fascistic, nationalistic and in favour of military rule. The director used his film to deconstruct these elements and undermine the themes, using Nazi iconography to further his point. For instance, officer uniforms in Starship Troopers are similar to those worn by the Gestapo…
Verhoeven has gone on the record many times to state that he directed the film in order to turn a “right-wing book” into a film that was a dark satire about the dangers of fascism.
Now, Verhoeven has said that Donald Trump’s administration should be aware that the film’s heroes are all “fascists without knowing that they’re fascists”.
“When [the Trump administration] talks about Starship Troopers, they should be aware that it’s based on the style of Leni Riefenstahl,” Verhoeven told The Hollywood Reporter – referring to the German filmmaker who was closely associated with the Nazi regime and glorified it through films including 1935’s Triumph of the Will.
“I don’t know if this president is aware that the movie says these [characters] are fascists without knowing that they’re fascists. That’s the point,” continued Verhoeven.
Once again, a potent reminder that the Trump administration should really think twice before co-opting cinematic references.
Trump has previously appropriated several pop culture touchstones, including Superman, Hannibal Lecter, Jedis and Spider-Man, and the references have backfired every time – not only by sparking the ire of the original creators and fans, but also for how these hijacked cultural winks display a lack of appreciation or understanding when it comes to the references themselves.
That being said, Verhoeven said that he is used to Starship Troopers’ satirical intent being misread and that the film has been challenging for audiences “because its heroes are, without knowing, Nazis.”
“I thought people would understand and laugh about it. But that was not the case,” he added. “I’m a Dutch citizen, and I cannot vote. I’ve been here in this country [US] for 40 years and it’s still difficult for me to understand the political culture here in America.”