The post has come after more than 100 people were killed due to Israeli airstrikes in Rafah on Monday
Long after marinating in online right-wing forums, the controversial ‘Dark Brandon’ meme featured in President of the United States Joe Biden’s recent post on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter). Collecting over 211 million views since it was shared on Sunday, Biden has generated a wave of speculation.
The meme, featuring the President with red lasers coming from his eyes, originated from a right-wing conspiracy theory tying together the NFL, Taylor Swift’s endorsement and the Democratic Party. “Just like we drew it up,” Biden penned in the post following the Chiefs’ recent win.
The conspiracy theories gained traction in recent weeks, particularly after reports surfaced about the US President seeking Swift’s endorsement for his potential reelection in November. The pop star, known for staying out of political endorsements earlier in her career, made a significant shift in 2018 by endorsing Democratic Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen in the Senate race against Republican Marsha Blackburn. In the 2020 election, Swift backed President Biden.
However, many social media users are highlighting the post’s timing and content, especially in the wake of the latest tragic events in Rafah, where a horrific attack has resulted in numerous casualties among Palestinians. Critics argue that the timing of the meme post, coupled with the recent developments, is insensitive and diverts attention from serious geopolitical issues.
Dozens of people, including children, were killed as “extremely intense” Israeli airstrikes and shelling pounded multiple locations in Rafah overnight Monday, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, as international alarm mounts over Israel’s planned ground offensive in the southern Gazan city.
More than 100 people were killed due to Israeli airstrikes as warplanes targeted different areas of the city and helicopters fired machine guns along the border areas, the PRCS said early Monday.
“I just saw a child whose legs were shredded into ropes of gore, hanging from the rubble of a bombed building. I’ve seen some evil shit on this app but to tweet this after tonight’s massacre in Rafah,” slammed one X user. “Palestinians were picking up the body parts of their loved ones, slaughtered by US-supplied bombs, when Biden’s team posted this,” echoed another critic.
Pointing out the poor timing for the attempt at humour, one post contended, “Yeah, the ‘Dark Brandon’ thing stops working as a joke when you’ve directly funded the genocide of 30,000 Palestinians.” Echoing with these sentiments, another user offered more context on the purported oversight from the US premier.
“Tonight, the Israeli military carried out a devastating and deadly assault on Rafah – a “safe zone” where displaced Palestinians were sheltering,” read the post. “The attack was possible because Biden keeps sending weapons to a genocidal government. Meanwhile, he’s doing this.”
Expressing disbelief that the bizarre post is indeed from Biden’s account, others had to state the obvious. “This is not a parody account,” began one X user. This is an official tweet from the official account of the President of the US while Israel unleashes its Final Solution on 2 million trapped Palestinians.
Another reckoned, “This is an actual tweet from the actual Twitter account of the actual President of the United States. Posted during the bombing of the last “safe” space in Gaza—bombing funded by US dollars—while an Israeli propaganda ad was aired to millions of Americans watching the Superbowl.”
“Wild thing to post as Israel is committing a massacre right now,” an X user condemned amid calls for Biden ‘read the room’. One post underlined the US President’s use of the meme with concern, declaring, “Posting a picture like this after last night’s massacre of children by Israel carries only one message. The world should be worried.”
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