DISCLAIMER: This article was first published in August 2024
You won’t believe what former President Donald Trump posted on TikTok today! In a weird move to get attention, Trump made a video standing in front of a police car, waving handcuffs like they were part of a sales pitch. If he wanted to scare people, it didn’t work—his video looks more strange and confusing than scary, leaving viewers wondering what he was really trying to do.
@realdonaldtrumpBACK THE BLUE!♬ original sound – President Donald J Trump
Let’s break this down. The video starts with Trump saying, “nobody is safe,” which might remind people of his speeches, where he often sounds alarming. But Trump isn’t talking about safety or national security. Instead, he’s talking about a return to “law and order.” This phrase now seems to mean something very different to him than it does to most people. While “law and order” usually refers to keeping things safe and fair, Trump’s use of the phrase in this video feels off and confusing, leaving viewers unsure about his real message.
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And let’s not overlook the irony here: a man who was found guilty of many serious crimes is holding up handcuffs in a video about law and order. This doesn’t send a strong message; it feels more like a desperate attempt to get attention from someone stuck in the past, just like some of his supporters. Instead of showing strength, Trump seems to be reaching for relevance by using a symbol of law enforcement.
One TikTok user, @user222996816005, captured the sentiment perfectly:
“DonOld! Your message is tired and old just like you. You are losing it—34 felonies, misogynist, rapist, Putin puppet. Project 2025 is going to sink you.”
In typical Trump fashion, this TikTok video is more about showing off than making a real point. Trump and the Republicans are using old tricks to try to scare people into agreeing with them. But the video just shows that they’ve only scared themselves. Instead of being strong, it looks like a flashy stunt that doesn’t work. Their attempt to seem tough looks outdated and doesn’t convince anyone.
Featured image via Screengrab
