Introduction
The President of the United States crafts and disseminates his own “memes,” using them to threaten, position himself as a bully or second-hand warrior. An example of this is the visual piece published last Saturday, after he, through his pure and orange-hued eggs, transformed the Department of Defense into the Department of War the previous day.
The “Chipocalypse Now” Meme
This meme, titled “Chipocalypse Now,” a play on words combining Chicago and Apocalypse Now, Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic war film about Vietnam, was one of the reasons for Trump’s message. The meme implies that the U.S. military will no longer invade narco-terrorist, communist, or “anti-democratic” countries as per northern neighbor customs but instead target its own citizens.
In Apocalypse Now, the character Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore wears a cowboy hat instead of a soldier’s helmet. Trump seems to identify with this protagonist, as his attire in the meme—including the hat and sunglasses—mirrors Kilgore’s appearance, portrayed brilliantly by Robert Duvall. Kilgore famously says, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” Trump paraphrased this, writing, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning.”
Contrasting the Film and Reality
In the film, Kilgore’s quote is accompanied by Wagner’s “March of the Valkyries” and helicopter sounds, with images of fleeing enemy soldiers. However, in Trump’s context, migrants aren’t fleeing; they’re being deported on buses filled with families. The protests of supportive Americans, their signs, drums, and the slogan “¡Ningún ser humano es ilegal!” (No human is illegal!) contrast with the absence of helicopter sounds and Wagner’s music, reminding everyone that human dignity isn’t something to be deported.
The Power of Smell and Trump’s Statement
Smell is closely tied to memory, and certain scents can evoke cherished memories or leave lasting impressions. When Trump says, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning,” what memories does he conjure? Perhaps it’s akin to the aroma of coffee that suggests a delightful breakfast for ordinary people. Imagine Trump at Mar-a-Lago, requesting “benedictine eggs, a mimosa, and a couple of ICE raids to start the day.”
A Marketing Idea for U.S. Brands
For American marketers, here’s a creative product idea: develop a spray with the scent of deportations for supremacists to use daily in their homes. The question remains: what does the smell of deportations evoke? Fear, sweat, and tears.
Trump’s Fluid Opinions
We all know that Donald Trump frequently changes his stance. If the majority disagrees with calling it the Department of War, he could claim it was a translation error; he actually proposed the Department of Tourism, as an invasion is like a guided tour of the invaded country.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main topic of this article? The article discusses how U.S. President Donald Trump uses “memes” to threaten and position himself as a bully or second-hand warrior, specifically referencing a meme called “Chipocalypse Now” that implies increased deportations within the U.S.
- Who is Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, and why is he relevant? Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore is a character from Francis Ford Coppola’s film Apocalypse Now. Trump seems to identify with Kilgore due to their similar attire and the famous quote, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning,” which Trump paraphrased as “I love the smell of deportations in the morning.”
- What is the contrast between the film and Trump’s reality regarding deportations? In Apocalypse Now, Kilgore’s quote is accompanied by Wagner’s music and helicopter sounds, with images of fleeing enemies. In contrast, Trump’s context involves deportations, with migrants being transported on buses filled with families amidst protests from supportive Americans, reminding everyone that human dignity isn’t something to be deported.
