While social media serves as a free or low-cost platform that governments and leaders use for both local and global outreach, making information easier to understand through images and videos, there has been a rising debate over whether this fast-paced technology’s benefits outweigh its downsides. According to the Pew Research Center, most people under 30 rely on social media for positive news; however, as social media evolves, the information tends to trend towards harmful use, which could be detrimental to people's well-being and communities.

During the 2024 election, the Democrats' and Republicans' social media pages went back and forth, bashing each other's presidential candidates using memes and information to sway public opinion. Even outside elections and campaigns, the clash between both parties continues till this day. During the second Trump Administration in 2025, the White House's social media has been used to promote the administration’s main focus– deportation. Through Instagram reels and Tiktok posts, the administration has chosen to highlight their progress through pop culture means, an aspect many Democrats support and criticizes the usage of. 

For example, on February 18th, 2025, the White House faced backlash for an “ASMR” (a physical and psychological experience that traditionally combines pleasurable and relaxing sensations in response to specific stimuli) video titled "ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight," which featured the sounds of clinking shackles. Accompanied with the sound were the detained men filing on a plane with the escorting of ICE agents, capturing the administration's enthusiasm for Federal agencies cracking down on immigration. The 41 second video was met with support from many of Trump’s followers, the post receiving over 32,000 retweets and 90,000 likes on platform X. However, a handful of users found the post to be chilling and revolting— “Why is treating human beings this way entertainment for you?” comments Natalie Holmes Elsberg, a user on X. Likewise, Democratic State Representative of Tennessee, Gloria Johnson, spoke up and commented, “This is the tweet of a psychopath.” Nevertheless, a couple of months after this video, multiple followed, each receiving similar criticism from those who found them just as objectionable as the first.

On November 23, 2025, a post on the White House’s official TikTok featured “Defying Gravity” from the movie “Wicked.” This song, at the time, was a fan favorite and used for many trends and memes. The “Defying Gravity” post shows Trump, then ICE agents, arresting people. The video also said, “Ahhh that deportation feeling…”. The administration continued on the platform by utilizing the popularity of “Stranger Things” newest season premiere. Through changing the show’s intro and title cards, the video showed statements about the Trump Administration such as “Zero Border Crossings” and “The American Dream”.  

 There were two more posts in early December– the first, on December 3, 2025, was a video featuring Sabrina Carpenter's hit song “Juno” that showed ICE agents chasing people, pinning them to the floor, and arresting them. Sabrina Carpenter commented on the usage of her song, saying, “This video is evil and disgusting. Do not ever involve me or my music in your inhumane agenda.” The video was later taken down, but a couple of days later, on December 10th, another post was created, showing the relentless push of the administration to establish a social media presence on deportation.

The Polar Express deportation post that followed Sabrina Carpenter’s deleted video,  takes the movie poster and replaces the famous train with a plane, titled “The Deportation Express.” Another version features the movie’s titular song “The Polar Express” with videos of chained immigrants filing onto planes. These posts came at a time when many families and homes would be putting on the popular holiday film to enjoy quality time together. However, the administration chose to couple the movie with encouraging people to self-deport, an action that could result in some leaving their families behind. The White House’s social media account is now being called into question by people who watch the bizarre deportation videos they are posting to hype up deportation, “The way my mouth continually drops to the floor in disbelief that this is really being posted by the UNITED STATES WHITE HOUSE” comments McKenzie Jaynes Ricketts (@mck_rick) on Instagram.

Although many of the deportation videos were later taken down, the fact that these videos can be posted and celebrated illustrates one of the drawbacks of social media, which can promote harmful content. The usage of pop culture to lure viewers further underscores the administration's persistent attempt to gain support for its policies. As a result, the posts continue to widen the political divide in the country, with Republicans more likely to support them and Democrats more likely to disapprove. In addition, these posts drive the extravagant idea that immigrants are linked to crime and must be shackled, increasing the effect on the public's perception of immigrants.

The White House's use of social media to make deportation seem amusing or entertaining has upset many people. Mixing popular songs like “Defying Gravity” from Wicked with serious topics, or using beloved holiday films like “The Polar Express”, makes it seem as though deportation is not a significant issue. Its usage can make people forget how serious and painful these situations are for those being deported; combining life-altering events and pop culture can set a standard that it's normal for the government to post dehumanizing things and call it content just to get more attention online.

To address such harmful content, communities and individuals can take action. They can organize open discussions to encourage respectful conversations among people with different political views, to help build understanding across communities. Social media users can work together to report harmful content and remind platforms to follow social media rules. Organized teachings about media literacy can also help people think more critically about what they see and post online. By working together, communities can help create a broader, more informed public conversation.