The White House turned a Democrat actor’s viral dance into official propaganda for Trump, sparking accusations of distraction from a missed Epstein files deadline.
Story Snapshot
- White House posted 20-second AI video on X December 20, 2025, morphing Trump into Jon Hamm’s euphoric dance from Apple TV’s Your Friends & Neighbors.
- Ad promotes Trump’s “hottest country” economic boast, garners 1 million views overnight.
- Hamm, a known Democrat supporter, remains silent as social media ties ad to DOJ’s Epstein document delay.
- Follows pattern of celebrity clip repurposing, unlike prior music cases with backlash from Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo.
Ad Content and Immediate Rollout
White House X account released the video Saturday evening, December 20, 2025. AI technology fused President Trump’s image with Jon Hamm’s viral dancing clip from Your Friends & Neighbors. Caption read “ALL WE NEEDED WAS A NEW PRESIDENT.” This tied directly to Trump’s repeated claim that America became the “hottest country anywhere in the world” after his January 2025 inauguration. Video hit 1 million views by Sunday morning.
Hamm’s footage originated in the Apple TV series where his character, a finance bro turned thief, dances euphorically to Kato’s “Turn the Lights Off” in a club scene. Memes exploded pre-December from this non-musical TV moment. White House repurposed it without permission, blending pop culture with political messaging.
Trump’s Economic Narrative Fuels the Clip
Trump first amplified the “hottest country” phrase in his December 17, 2025, White House Diplomatic Reception Room speech on the economy. He contrasted pre-inauguration “dead” status with post-term vibrancy. Ad reinforced this bravado through Hamm’s joyful moves, implying national revival under Trump leadership. Common sense aligns: leaders tout successes creatively, especially when facts back economic gains.
Administration’s social media team executed the post amid polarized online discourse. Unlike pop song uses, this TV drama clip from a Democrat-leaning actor added “bizarre” edge. No prior White House precedent matched AI integration with unwitting celebrity footage.
Social users praised viral hit while critics labeled it tone-deaf. Facts show engagement success; conservative values celebrate unapologetic patriotism over celebrity sensitivities.
Timing Aligns with Epstein Files Controversy
DOJ missed its December 19, 2025, deadline for full Epstein document release. Deputy AG Todd Blanche admitted the lapse on Fox News December 20, promising phased disclosures after redacting sensitive material. He claimed “several hundred thousand” files already public. Ad dropped same evening, prompting “distraction” claims online.
Media like The Independent highlighted this proximity. Social memes mocked redactions alongside the dance clip. Yet Blanche’s pledge indicates transparency progress, not cover-up. Conservative perspective values due process over rushed, potentially harmful dumps—common sense prioritizes national security.
Celebrity Repurposing Pattern Emerges
December 2025 saw White House escalate pop culture tactics. Earlier, it used Sabrina Carpenter’s “Juno” in a deportation ad; she called it “evil,” prompting removal. DHS deployed Olivia Rodrigo’s “All-American B****”; she deemed it “racist,” with comment deletion. Hamm case differs: no music, AI Trump overlay, and no takedown yet.
Hamm, famed from Mad Men and vocal Democrat, faces no public backlash vector so far. His silence leaves room for team action. Entertainment sector grows wary; viral clips now risk political hijack. Long-term, this normalizes bold government messaging, boosting visibility despite partisan gripes.
Implications for Politics and Culture
Short-term, ad achieved massive reach, solidifying Trump’s narrative. Long-term, it tests boundaries of AI in propaganda and celebrity recourse against federal platforms. Polarized public splits: supporters see fun patriotism, detractors cry deflection. Facts favor the former—1 million views dwarf complaint volume.
Broader effects hit social media with meme proliferation and entertainment’s clip vulnerability. DOJ’s ongoing Epstein phases address demands without deadline panic. American conservatives applaud unfiltered leadership; distractions fade against substantive wins like economic revival claims.
Sources:
White House releases bizarre ad featuring footage of Mad Men actor Jon Hamm, a Democrat
