A Halloween-themed social media post by the White House started a row after it appeared to confuse two Black political leaders while trying to mock Democrats.The post on social media platform X featured “Halloween costume inspiration” images comparing President Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance with their Democratic rivals, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. However, the caption describing Jeffries’ “costume” seemed to confuse him with Senator Cory Booker. The image of Jeffries showed him wearing a sombrero with a caption that read, “one filibuster speech no one remembers.” The error drew attention because Jeffries serves in the House, where filibusters do not exist. The description appeared to refer instead to Booker’s 25-hour speech in April criticising the Trump administration, which became the longest filibuster-style address in Senate history.The sombrero itself sparked backlash. It appeared to reference a “racist” AI-generated video President Trump shared earlier this month that depicted Jeffries wearing a sombrero and handlebar moustache while mariachi music played. At the time, Jeffries called the video “disgusting,” telling reporters, “Mr. President, the next time you have something to say about me, don’t cop out through a racist and fake AI video. When I’m back in the Oval Office, say it to my face.”Vance defended the imagery, saying, “The president’s joking, and we’re having a good time,” before adding that the posts would stop if Jeffries helped reopen the government, according to the Daily Beast.Even Schumer’s mock costume description included another sombrero reference, reading, “Includes: your money given to illegals, life subscription to performative outrage. Not included: sombrero, spine.”
