The intersection of American politics, social media, and artificial intelligence has birthed a new wave of viral content, with AI-generated videos and images becoming a potent tool for satire. Recently, the internet has been captivated by a particular AI creation depicting Vice President JD Vance meticulously applying what appears to be "Cheeto dust" to President Donald Trump’s face, portraying Vance as a personal makeup artist.
This particular meme seems to draw inspiration from a satirical illustration by Barry Blitt for The New Yorker's Kvetchbook series. The original artwork humorously imagined Trump commenting on Vance’s supposed makeup habits with the line, “Maybe tone it down with the Maybelline, Captain Eyeliner.” Vance’s imagined retort was, “Girl, look how orange you look.”
The Long-Standing Memeification of Trump's Tan
Jokes and memes surrounding Donald Trump's tan are hardly a new phenomenon. His skin tone, often described with terms ranging from "mildly sun-kissed" to "radioactive tangerine," has long been a favourite subject for internet humorists. This latest iteration, however, introduces JD Vance into the narrative, who himself has become a subject of internet ridicule due to speculation about his use of eyeliner.
Chinese Internet's Response to Trade Tariffs
The AI-generated memes mocking Trump and Vance are not solely a domestic phenomenon. Chinese critics of Donald Trump's tariff campaign have also widely shared AI-generated memes online, ridiculing the president and his deputy. This response comes amidst a significant trade dispute, where the US imposed tariffs on China, which China retaliated with its own tariffs.
Accounts across the political spectrum in China have targeted "Chairman Trump" and "the eyeliner man," referring to JD Vance, as the trade war intensifies. The AI-generated content has been shared extensively on Chinese social media, even though not all of it is created within China.
"Eyeliner Man" and Political Satire
JD Vance, the American Vice President, has been dubbed "eyeliner man" on Chinese platforms. A fake image of JD Vance applying eyeliner was shared on Weibo, contributing to the online mockery. Chinese critics are using AI to satirize the Trump Administration's approach to trade negotiations.
The satirical AI-generated content has included parodic songs set to the tune of traditional Chinese patriotic songs. One such song, set to the tune of "We Walk on the Great Road" from the Mao era, critiques the tariffs from the perspective of an American consumer, with lyrics like, "'Liberation Day,' you promised us the stars. But tariffs killed our cheap Chinese cars." The song highlights the potential negative impact of tariffs on American consumers, particularly low-income families, with lines such as, "Tariffs hit, wallets quit: low-income families take the hardest blow."
Chinese internet users mock Trump tariffs with AI videos of American sweatshops
Vance's Eyeliner Use Under Scrutiny
The AI videos trolling Vance, focusing on his supposed use of eyeliner makeup, gained traction following President Donald Trump's tariffs on China and Vance's critical comments about the country on Fox News. This online mockery has led to renewed attention on past discussions about Vance's appearance.
Usha Vance, JD Vance's wife, previously addressed speculation about his eyeliner use, confirming that his features are "all natural" and expressing jealousy of his lashes. Even Donald Trump has commented on Vance's "beautiful" blue eyes and prominent lashes, comparing him to a young Abraham Lincoln before selecting him as his running mate.
The online discussion about Vance's appearance dates back to appearances on shows like Saturday Night Live, where comedian Cecily Strong poked fun at his looks. Strong's remarks included comparing Vance to "every guy that's called you a b----h on Bumble" and humorously suggesting his eyeliner implied "we should panic at the disco."
Social media users have expressed curiosity about Vance's makeup routine, with some admiring his "damn good eyeliner" and inquiring about brands and application techniques. Users with similar features, such as dark hair and hooded eyes, have shared their own experiences, noting that they are often perceived as wearing eyeliner even when they are not.
The AI-generated memes and videos, while often humorous, highlight the complex interplay between political commentary, international relations, and the evolving landscape of digital satire. The creative use of AI technology provides a new avenue for expressing dissent and commentary, blurring the lines between reality and artificial creation in the public sphere.