Trump Administration Uses "Sesame Street" Song to Promote its Fascist Agenda
A propaganda video posted by Border Patrol uses Sesame Streets' "Who are the people in your neighborhood?"
On November 14, Border Patrol posted a propaganda video that uses the “Sesame Street” song “Who are the people in your neighborhood?” to promote its anti-immigrant agenda.
The Trump administration has repeatedly used popular songs, and movie and television clips, in its propaganda videos, with impunity.
Olivia Rodrigo has been one of the few artists to speak out. After her song, “all-american bitch” was used in a video posted by the White House and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the singer posted a comment saying, “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda.”
Many have called on Taylor Swift — whose music has been used by the Trump administration in multiple videos — to do the same. She hasn’t. Most recently, her song, “The Fate of Ophelia” was used in a video posted by Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection (CBP.) In August, the White House and Border Patrol posted a propaganda video using Swift’s “…Ready For It?”
“That Swift and her team haven’t issued a statement distancing her from a president mired in scandal and an administration criticised for censorship, violent immigration raids and far-right policies, is curious,” Alim Kheraj wrote for The Guardian. “Once politically shy, she appeared to fully embrace and advocate for progressive values in 2018, so much so that her decision to speak out about politics became the narrative tent pole of her documentary Miss Americana.”
While much attention has focused on Swift, her response, or lack thereof, appears to be the norm.
Here’s just a small sample of propaganda videos posted over the last few months by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the White House, and Border Patrol:
Border Patrol posted a video using Nirvana’s “Something In The Way.”
Border Patrol and CBP posted a video using Billie Eilish’s “BIRDS OF A FEATHER.”
Border Patrol posted a video using the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage.”
DHS and Border Patrol posted a video using the Black Eyes Peas’ “Pump It.”
DHS and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted a video featuring Rihanna’s “S&M,” and Get the Bag’s “K41.” Their songs are played over clips of anti-ICE protesters, and federal agents disappearing people who appear to be Latino. The victims’ hands are cuffed or ziptied behind their backs and some are not fully dressed.
The captions says: “Dear Antifa: We’re taking our country back. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!”
Border Patrol posted a video using The Notorious B.I.G.’s Hypnotize.
Border Patrol, CBP, and DHS posted a video using Dragula’s “Goodnight Irene.”
Border Patrol posted a video using the theme music from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
DHS, CBP, and Border Patrol posted a video using Petey Pablo’s Raise Up.
CBP and DHS posted a video using Limp Bizkit’s Break Stuff.
The White House posted an image of Spongebob Squarepants holding a scroll that says, “Give free healthcare to illegals.” The Instagram caption states: “Democrats’ to-do list this week.”
San Diego Border Patrol posted a video featuring a doctored clip from the animated television show, “Family Guy.”
DHS posted a video featuring the Pokémon theme song, “Gotta Catch ‘Em All,” over clips from the cartoon and videos of federal officers abducting people. “Department of Homeland Security” is written in the Pokémon font when the video opens. The video ends with mock Pokemon cards featuring the photos of those they arrested.
The White House posted a propaganda video featuring a montage of clips from popular television shows and movies, including “The Princess Bride,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Family Guy,” “My Cousin Vinny,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Spongebob Squarepants,” and “The Office.”
The White House posted two clips from the sketch comedy show, “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.” One video spliced clips of President Trump making anti-immigrant and anti-trans statements with clips from the show, featuring Tim Robinson. The caption states: “IT’S NOT COMPLICATED. No free health care for illegal aliens. Put America First. Don’t be dumb. Fund the government. ” The second features a doctored version of the show’s parody of “The Bachelorette.” The caption says: “Democrats are only here to give free healthcare to criminal illegal aliens.”
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