Last week, the official White House Instagram account made headlines for this incredibly insensitive Valentine’s Day post featuring President Donald Trump’s face alongside his border czar, Tom Homan. The post rhymes: “Roses Are Red / Violets Are Blue / Come Here Illegally / And We’ll Deport You.”
The post accompanies Trump’s sweeping mass deportations that have left many immigrant communities and US citizens living in fear of arrest.
Joe Raedle / Getty Images
Now, the White House’s official X account is taking its turn in the spotlight with a post featuring live deportations and the caption “ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight.”
Twitter: White House / Twitter: @WhiteHouse
For those who don’t know, ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response — which is a lot of big words to say that ASMR is a pleasant, relaxing, tingly sensation someone gets from watching or listening to stimulating videos. The feeling has been described as “tingles” up the spine or on the back of someone’s head, and it can be so soothing that it’ll put you to sleep.
ASMR videos are massively popular online for easing listeners. The clips emphasize sound, and these range from crinkling papers or tapping items with long nails to role-play like hearing a doctor’s assessment or a fake baseball game.
During the White House’s attempt at an ASMR video, the sounds meant to “tingle” their audience include that of pat downs…
Two people with backpacks stand on a tarmac, facing an airplane, with one person placing an arm around the other
…chains…
A person walks, dragging long chains and handcuffs along a textured pavement
…people being handcuffed…
Close-up of a person in handcuffs, with hands held by someone wearing gloves
…and humans walking in shackles.
Person wearing chained shoes walks up metal stairs
MAGA supporters like Elon Musk chimed in under the post to show appreciation.
But most commenters expressed the opposite. One of the most-hearted responses reads, “This is the most absurd, inhumane, embarrassing, and downright disturbing thing I have seen in a while. I can’t believe this is the account of our country’s leader. It’s worse than a bad joke at this point.”
Comment criticizing a country’s leader, calling them absurd, inhumane, and disturbing, with 25.6k likes
According to the American Immigration Council, about 4.4 million US citizens under 18 have a parent who is undocumented — which means that mass deportations inevitably spawn family separation.
Or, as Trump seeks to end birthright citizenship, those born in the US (and are therefore US citizens) may be forced out as well despite their status and despite their citizenship being upheld by the 14th Constitutional Amendment.
Knowing this, people balked at the White House making light of deportations via an ASMR video.
Three comments discussing negative reactions to a video: disbelief, condemnation, and criticism of dehumanization
And others expressed pained surprise at the idea of someone feeling tingles over other humans being shackled.
Comment saying, “these people are humans too.”
Overall, the post was called “revolting,” “upsetting,” and “dehumanizing to celebrate.”
Comments expressing outrage and concern about a disturbing post, questioning humanity and values
But what are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.