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Between Saturday and Sunday, Donald Trump posted approximately 40 times on his Truth Social platform, with the majority of the content consisting of AI-generated images.
His latest AI spree included a map showing Venezuela covered in a US flag with the caption “51st State”, as well as Trump’s face hovering over the top of Greenland with the caption: “Hello, Greenland!”.
While Trump is known for going on AI-rampages as part of his “memetic warfare”, one has incurred the wrath of music lovers worldwide.
Trump cast himself as none other than The King of Rock and Roll.
The picture sees him depicted as Elvis Presley, wearing an outfit inspired by the artist’s sequined jumpsuit worn during the filming of his Aloha from Hawaii concert in 1973.
This is not the first time that Elvis has been on his mind, as Trump claimed he was bigger than The King earlier this year when offering to perform at his “Freedom 250” celebration at the Great American State Fair, after the majority of acts pulled out.
He wrote at the time: “I am thinking about bringing the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World, the man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime, and he does so without a guitar, the man who loves our Country more than anyone else, and the man who some say is the Greatest President in History (THE GOAT!), DONALD J. TRUMP, to take the place of these highly paid, Third Rate ‘Artists,’ and give a major speech, rallying the Country forward like I have done ever since being President!”
His previous comments did not sit well with music lovers online, with one user stating: “The only thing Trump and Elvis have in common is their proclivity for underage girls” – a reference both to the Epstein Files and to the fact that Elvis met his future wife Priscilla Beaulieu when she was just 14 years old. He was 24 at the time.
Predictably, Trump’s latest Elvis reference sparked heated reactions on social media.
One user said that Trump as Elvis “is an insult to all who loved Elvis”, while another commented: “Trump keeps posting that America was once the laughingstock of the world, but now that he is president, it’s never been more respected. As an Aussie, I can 100% confirm that Donald Trump is a laughingstock here.”
Another account wrote that “Unlike Trump, Elvis actually served our nation with honor, distinction, and rock and roll,” and one user added: “He doesn’t just crave the spotlight, he thinks he’s Elvis in his prime. The ego is off the charts.”
Trump has shared several of his pop culture touchstones over the years, including Superman, Hannibal Lecter and Jedis… Every time, the cultural associations have backfired – not only by sparking the ire of the original creators and fans, but also for how his cultural winks display a lack of appreciation or understanding when it comes to the references themselves.
Further worrying some of Trump’s critics has been his repeated intention to seek a third term in office, despite the 22nd Amendment of the US constitution stating that “no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice.”
Trump recently shared during an interview on Real America’s Voice that he’d “love to be the next guy in office,” a comment which adds itself to a series of images he posted last week of himself wearing “Trump 2028” hats.
In the meantime, Elvis fans remain “all shook up”.