Trump administration's social media posts spark criticism over racially charged images

The Trump administration's social media accounts have sparked criticism for circulating images that some deem inflammatory and racially charged in the lead-up to the midterm elections.

The posts feature a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background surrounding a Black man who appears to be accused of food assistance fraud. This image is being shared as part of the government's efforts to highlight its aggressive immigration enforcement and crackdown on alleged fraudsters, particularly in relation to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The timing of these posts coincides with rising concerns about affordability among voters, with healthcare costs and economic stressors topping the list of voter priorities. The administration has been emphasizing its commitment to saving taxpayers' money through tough action against those accused of defrauding government programs.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was one of the officials who shared this image on social media platform X over the weekend, posting a photo that includes a headline reading "SNAP FRAUDSTER and a fake Spirit Halloween costume packaging backdrop.

A pumpkin carved with a sombrero and the words Spooky szn is here was featured in a White House post on X, sparking renewed criticism of the administration's social media strategy ahead of elections.

The image appears to be taken from an Instagram post by Shawty Dred, a social media personality who has been accused of obtaining millions in government benefits through fraudulent means. In September 2025, Shawty Dred posted the photo, which was then shared by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on X over the weekend.

Shawty Dred's real name is Mercedes Reshard New, and she is currently facing federal charges for allegedly defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program of more than $4 million in Georgia. This latest controversy surrounding the White House's social media use comes as no surprise to those who have been critical of their online presence.

The White House has a history of posting inflammatory images on official government social media accounts, dating back to last year's government shutdown. At that time, they revived a deepfake video featuring House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in a fake mustache and sombrero, which was widely criticized for its racist undertones.

This move was seen as an attempt to politicize the migrant crisis and shift blame onto Democrats, with Jeffries himself describing the meme as bigoted. The video was played on repeat in the White House briefing room before Vice President JD Vance promised to end the practice once the shutdown ended.

The Trump administration's focus on immigration issues has led to a surge in anti-immigrant rhetoric, with allegations of fraud being made against several individuals, including U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar. The investigation into her family's immigration paperwork is ongoing, and federal authorities are examining potential irregularities.

In recent weeks, the administration has also taken punitive measures linked to alleged fraud in various states, including California and Minnesota. These actions have been met with criticism from governors of Democratic-led states, who accuse the federal government of targeting their regions for political reasons rather than addressing legitimate issues.

Federal prosecutors have charged an individual known as New with operating more than 350 fraudulent SNAP accounts using stolen identities between January 2020 and July 2026. It's alleged that he applied to become an authorized SNAP retailer through his company, Shawty Dred LLC, and used EBT debit cards to extract approximately $4 million from the affected accounts.

Posts on New's Instagram account, which boasts over two million followers, showcase his opulent lifestyle, featuring private jets, luxury vehicles, and large sums of cash. The extravagant displays have been highlighted by federal prosecutors as part of their case against him.

The lavish lifestyle allegedly funded by social media influencer New's illicit activities has come under scrutiny in his ongoing federal case.

New, also known as Shawty Dred," is accused of using funds meant for families in need to support a life of luxury, according to Special Agent Marlo Graham of the FBI Atlanta office. This misuse of resources is part of a larger scheme that has led to numerous charges against New, including mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

New's history with law enforcement dates back several years, with multiple arrests on suspicion of various crimes such as identity theft, insurance fraud, financial transaction card fraud, forgery, and simple assault.