Images and Texts Criticizing Democratic Policies and Leadership Posted
The White House created a webpage on its official website mocking the opposition Democratic Party, posting images and texts satirizing Democratic lawmakers and their policies.
A page mocking the Democratic Party leadership was created on the official White House website. Screenshot of the White House website
On November 2 (local time), the White House launched a webpage titled "My Safe Space" (mysafespace), ridiculing the Democratic Party leadership and claiming that the Democrats are responsible for the federal government shutdown (temporary suspension of government operations). On the official White House X account, a link to the page was posted along with the message, "Welcome to my safe space. This is where Democrats go when opening the government is just too hard."
The linked page features images and texts mocking Democratic figures and policies under the main theme that the Democrats are responsible for the federal government shutdown, which is damaging U.S. public services and the economy. Although the fiscal year has changed, the budget could not be passed due to disagreements between the Republican and Democratic parties, resulting in a shutdown. The White House claimed, "The Democrats caused the government shutdown in an attempt to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants."
The site’s background features a pattern of sombreros, traditional Mexican hats, and traditional Mexican music plays in the background. At the top of the page, there is an image of Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic House Minority Leader, wearing a sombrero and standing next to Chuck Schumer, the Democratic Senate Majority Leader. Such imagery has long been criticized for fueling racial prejudice by generalizing Mexicans as illegal immigrants involved in crime, thus sparking ongoing debates about racism.
A page mocking the Democratic Party leadership was created on the official White House website. Screenshot of the White House website
In the "Hakeem's Eight Friends" section, Senator Schumer is depicted as Chucky, the killer doll from the movie "Child's Play," with an actual image of Chucky placed alongside. This section also includes photos of former President Joe Biden and an autopen (an automatic signature device). President Donald Trump has previously alleged that officials in the Biden administration fabricated policies using an autopen, exploiting former President Biden's alleged cognitive decline.
The site's self-introduction section states, "We are Democratic senators and representatives," and adds, "We love playing politics with people's livelihoods." It also mocks the Democratic Party’s "heroes" as "anyone who claims to be a radical leftist, multinational crime syndicates, and illegal immigrants."
The prevailing view is that the content of these posts is not factual, but rather political agitation by President Trump and the Republican Party.
It is reported that both parties are currently working to end the shutdown by passing a temporary budget bill and then entering into full negotiations. Passing the temporary budget bill requires the approval of at least 60 out of 100 senators. The Senate is composed of 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats, and 2 independents who support the Democrats, making a breakthrough difficult when party lines are strictly drawn.
The Democratic Party maintains that it cannot support the temporary budget bill unless the subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expire at the end of this year, are extended. The ACA, also known as "Obamacare," is a system aimed at universal healthcare by providing premium subsidies to low-income individuals. In contrast, the Republican Party, adhering to the principle of "small government," is pushing for the repeal or reduction of the ACA.
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