URGENT UPDATE: House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing backlash after defending President Donald Trump over a controversial AI-generated video depicting the president dumping feces on protesters. This bizarre response came as millions participated in approximately 2,600 No Kings protests nationwide on July 15, 2023, opposing Trump’s agenda.
The video, posted late Saturday night on Trump’s Truth Social platform, features the president in a crown, releasing sewage from a fighter jet labeled “King Trump.” During a press conference on Monday, Johnson was confronted by reporters questioning the appropriateness of the clip. “What does it say that the President of the United States over the weekend released a video of him pooping on the American people?” one reporter asked.
Johnson, appearing visibly uncomfortable, responded, “The president uses social media to make a point. You can argue he’s probably the most effective person who’s ever used social media for that.” He suggested that Trump was employing “satire to make a point,” while also asserting that the president was not inciting violence against his political opponents.
The protests on Saturday saw nearly seven million participants across the U.S., showcasing a range of anti-Trump sentiments and calls for democratic values. Johnson remarked on the protests, stating he supports freedom of speech but accused some demonstrators of attempting to “incite violence.” He added, “What those people are advocating for is, at its essence, un-American.”
Despite the heated rhetoric, police in New York City and Washington, D.C., where the largest gatherings took place, reported no arrests related to the protests. Many demonstrators highlighted the peaceful nature of the events, contrasting them with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
“Congratulations, they didn’t burn any buildings down,” Johnson sarcastically commented, pointing out that the left managed to organize a non-violent event. Critics of Trump have described the AI video as a fitting representation of his presidency, while some have called for the removal of music used in the video, including Kenny Loggins’ song “Danger Zone.”
This developing story raises questions about the impact of political satire and the responsibilities of public figures in a polarized environment. As the nation grapples with these issues, observers will be watching closely for further reactions and developments from both sides of the aisle.
Stay tuned for updates on this unfolding situation.
