Jacob Neiheisel on How Trump Uses Humor and Labels to Divide
Jacob Neiheisel, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, was interviewed by two publications, and , about President Trump's use of mems and labels to diminish his opposition.
The Trump administration is using viral, often mocking memes to promote its tough immigration policies, including deportations. Jacob Neiheisel, a political science professor at the University at Buffalo, told that Trump's use of memes ties back to the MAGA movement’s roots in online culture. These memes — like AI-generated cartoons and rhyming jokes —aim to excite Trump’s base and outrage critics.
Image of woman weeping while being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the style of Studi Ghibli posted on X by @WhiteHouse in March 2025.
While critics call it cruel, Neiheisel says it’s unlikely to hurt Trump politically since his supporters enjoy it, and most undecided voters aren't paying close attention.
Many conservatives are calling Trump critics victims of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” to mock or dismiss their views. Some even tried to pass a bill labeling it a real mental illness, which sparked backlash for making fun of serious issues and limiting free speech. Neiheisel, in a , says this label is used to shut down debate and avoid hearing other opinions. It’s not just about Trump critics — it’s also about protecting people’s own beliefs by writing off disagreement as irrational.
Neiheisel warns that this hurts democracy and makes it harder for people to talk across political lines.
“This narrative does suggest that political language is important and that political actors fight (or should fight) about the use of different labels.”
