Washington (TDI): A meme portraying President Donald Trump as Superman, recently circulated by a White House-affiliated account, has sparked a fresh round of political drama, coinciding with the debut of director James Gunn’s latest take on the Man of Steel.
The digitally altered image, which places Trump’s face on Superman’s body in a classic heroic pose, bore the caption: “THE SYMBOL OF HOPE. TRUTH. JUSTICE. THE AMERICAN WAY. SUPERMAN TRUMP.”
The timing of the meme raised eyebrows, particularly as it came in the wake of controversial remarks by Gunn, who in a recent interview described Superman as an immigrant, drawing parallels between the superhero’s story and the American immigrant experience.
That framing didn’t sit well with several conservative commentators. Ben Shapiro and Jesse Watters both slammed Gunn’s take as an example of what they called Hollywood’s ‘woke messaging’ wrapped in blockbuster packaging.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom was quick to join the conversation, posting on X, “Superman was an undocumented immigrant.” Known for his clashes with Trump, especially over immigration. Newsom’s post was followed by a video showing ICE agents using tear gas, with children seen running for cover. His office tied the footage to Trump immigration raids, once again criticizing the president’s hardline stance.
Rodney Scott, the former Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection, responded by defending Trump’s approach. He pointed to a recent case in which ten minors, all reportedly undocumented, were found working at a marijuana grow house. He used the example to justify strict border enforcement.
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But Newsom hit back, arguing that California had invested heavily in fighting child trafficking and exploitation, adding that such problems had existed before Trump and would persist without comprehensive reform.
Superman’s Box Office Soars Despite Debate
Despite the heated political exchanges, the controversy seemed to have no negative impact on James Gunn’s latest film. Early previews pulled in $22.5 million, signaling a strong start at the box office.
Gunn remained unfazed by the criticism. In a separate statement, he reiterated his belief that Superman’s status as an immigrant symbolized hope, kindness, and inclusiveness. “If you’re against immigration, you’ve missed the point of America and Superman,” Gunn said.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
