Trump shares AI video of Vought as shutdown grim reaper
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Screenshot: President Trump/Truth Social
President Trump posted a government shutdown-themed, AI-generated video late Thursday parodying "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," starring Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought as the grim reaper.
Why it matters: The video exemplifies the Trump administration's approach toward the funding gap, attacking Democrats and threatening job cuts.
- Wielding a scythe in the video, Vought is seen tipping the scale on layoffs during the shutdown.
- "We were not contacted about this in advance," said Steve Schenck, a spokesperson for Blue Öyster Cult, the band behind the original hit.
Context: The U.S. government on Friday is in its third day — and counting — of a government shutdown.
- Trump is seizing it as an opportunity to consolidate control in the Oval Office. On Thursday, the president said he met with Vought to discuss what "Democrat agencies" to cut.
Driving the news: The video shows Trump playing a cowbell as part of a band with skeletons as fellow musicians and Vice President JD Vance on the drums.
- "Now their time has come," the song says, as the grim reaper walks down a hallway with portraits of Democratic congressional leaders. "Here the power's gone."
- "Russ Vought is the reaper," the song continues. "He wields the pen, the funds and the brain. Here comes the reaper."
Behind the scenes: The video shared by Trump was created by the Dilley Meme Team, which calls itself "Trump's online war machine."
- "Our content generates millions and millions of views," their website said. "Often shared by the man himself, and played at the rallies, we've been fighting fake narratives of the commies and fascists for years - BY ANY MEMES NECESSARY."
Flashback: Trump last year posted a later-deleted video with reference to the creation of a "unified Reich," which was also shared by the Dilley Meme Team.
- Trump's campaign attributed its creation to a "random account online" and said it was reposted by a staffer who didn't notice the Nazi reference.
State of play: Trump and his administration have churned out insensitive memes and other AI-generated content this term.
- The president and other Republican officials were criticized this week for sharing sharing videos of Democrats wearing sombreros and handlebar mustaches.
- "Mr. President, the next time you have something to say about me, don't cop out through a racist and fake AI video," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in response to the post.
- Also Thursday, Trump posted a meme satirizing Democrats as "THE PARTY OF HATE, EVIL, AND SATAN."
Between the lines: During the 2024 election, several prominent artists demanded Trump's campaign stop using their music on social media or at rallies. Some filed lawsuits.
Go deeper: Why Trump and Republicans keep sharing videos of Democrats in sombreros
Editor's note: This story has been updated with details throughout and comment from the Blue Öyster Cult.
