On July 11, 2025, the official White House social media account posted an AI-generated image of President Donald Trump depicted as Superman, coinciding with the theatrical release of Warner Bros.
Pictures’ latest Superman film. The image, styled as a mock movie poster, features Trump’s face superimposed onto Superman’s iconic red-caped, blue-suited body, accompanied by the slogans “A Trump Presidency” and “Truth, Justice, and The American Way. Superman Trump.” The caption boldly declared Trump “THE SYMBOL OF HOPE.”
The post, intended to capitalize on the buzz surrounding the new Superman movie, quickly ignited a firestorm of reactions online. Critics lambasted the image as tone-deaf and unprofessional, with many questioning the judgment of the White House’s social media team.
One social media user quipped, “I’m still convinced a 15-year-old boy with an AI subscription is in charge of this account,” while another suggested, “Please tell me it’s a kid running this page.”
A Democratic representative sharply criticized the portrayal, stating, “He’s literally Lex Luthor,” referring to Superman’s arch-nemesis.
A political commentator added, “Just imagine the response if the previous administration had posted something like this. But Trump is graded on some kind of never-seen-before curve and this craziness is normalized.”
The controversy was amplified by the timing, as the post came amid backlash over the film director’s comments describing the new Superman film as a story of “basic human kindness” centered on an immigrant hero. These remarks drew ire from conservative commentators, who labeled the film “woke.”
The White House’s meme appeared to be a deliberate attempt to reclaim the Superman narrative, but it backfired for many who saw irony in comparing Trump to a character known for selflessness and humility, qualities they argue he does not embody. One user pointed out, “Superman was an undocumented immigrant,” highlighting the contrast with Trump’s hardline immigration policies.
The post also reignited demands for transparency regarding certain high-profile allegations, with several users calling it a “massive distraction.” The Justice Department’s recent claim that no such records exist further fueled public skepticism, with comments like “Are those files his kryptonite?” flooding the post.
Not everyone criticized the image. A Trump supporter who played Superman in a 1990s TV series responded with laughing emojis, seemingly approving of the comparison. However, the broader sentiment online leaned toward mockery, with many labeling the post “cringe” and “embarrassing.”
This isn’t the first time Trump or the White House has used AI-generated imagery to project a larger-than-life persona. Previous posts have depicted Trump as a pope and a Jedi, drawing similar criticism for trivializing the presidency. Critics argue that such stunts undermine the credibility of the White House, with one user stating, “I never thought I’d see the day when the White House is just a joke.”
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The Superman meme reflects a broader pattern of Trump’s team leveraging pop culture to bolster his image, from digital trading cards sold in 2022 to a recent AI video imagining a Trump-branded resort.
While these efforts may resonate with his base, they risk alienating others who view them as self-aggrandizing and out of touch. As one user put it, “If he believed in truth and justice, those files would be released.”
The White House’s Superman stunt may have aimed to portray Trump as a heroic figure, but for many, it only reinforced the perception of an inflated ego soaring to new heights.
Whether this bold move strengthens his brand or further erodes public trust remains to be seen.
