NewsWPLG Local 10November 1, 2026Miami-Dade County
Trump administration social media posts criticized for inflammatory images ahead of elections
Photo: WPLG Local 10
The Trump administration's official online accounts circulated controversial social media posts featuring a pumpkin with a sombrero design and an image of a Black man accused of food assistance fraud, drawing criticism from opponents. The posts coincide with a broader federal campaign emphasizing aggressive immigration enforcement and fraud reduction ahead of the midterm elections. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the White House published the images on the social platform X.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
Federal officials are utilizing official social media accounts to highlight high-profile fraud arrests and immigration enforcement measures amid voter concerns over economic affordability and rising healthcare costs.
Key Facts
- Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted an image on X depicting a Black man standing in front of currency stacks with the headline 'SNAP FRAUDSTER' and holding a bill set aflame.
- The White House posted an image on X showing a pumpkin with a sombrero carved across it alongside the text 'Spooky szn is here.'
- Critics slammed the administration's social media posts as containing inflammatory rhetoric days before the midterm elections.
- The posts coincide with a broader government campaign highlighting immigration enforcement and fraud crackdowns to save taxpayer money.
- The image posted by Rollins was adapted from a September 2025 Instagram post by social media personality Mercedes Reshard New, also known as 'Shawty Dred.'
- Federal prosecutors stated that New controlled more than 350 fraudulent SNAP accounts under stolen identities between January 2020 and July 2026, extracting about $4 million.
- New was indicted by a federal grand jury on counts of mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, SNAP fraud, and illegal transactions with access devices, and remains in federal custody.
- A year prior during a government shutdown, the White House posted a deepfake video of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero and a fake mustache.
- Federal authorities recently searched the Washington, D.C., home of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar as part of an investigation into potential fraud in her family's immigration paperwork.
Who's Mentioned
PersonJD Vance“Vice President who promised sombrero memes would stop”OrganizationJustice Department“Federal department that identified the social media personality”OrganizationNAACP“Organization that did not respond to requests for comment”PersonMercedes Reshard New“Influencer arrested on federal charges for fraudulently obtaining SNAP benefits”OrganizationWhite House“Executive office that shared social media posts”PersonHakeem Jeffries“House Democratic leader featured in a past deepfake video posted by the White Ho”locationCalifornia“State whose governor accused the federal government of political targeting”PersonIlhan Omar“U.S. Representative whose D.C. home was searched by federal agents amid an immig”locationMinnesota“State whose governor accused the federal government of political targeting”PersonMarlo Graham“Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta”locationGeorgia“State where SNAP benefits were fraudulently obtained”OrganizationFBI Atlanta“Federal investigative agency”locationFulton County“Location of jail records detailing past arrests”PersonShawty Dred“Social media personality also known as Mercedes Reshard New”locationSomalia“Birthplace of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar”OrganizationShawty Dred LLC“Company applied for as an authorized SNAP retailer”PersonJoseph Austin“Federal defender listed as representing Mercedes Reshard New”PersonBrooke Rollins“Agriculture Secretary who posted an image on X regarding SNAP fraud”