The Trump Administration's Latest Performance: A State-Sanctioned Spectacle of Violence
In the early 20th century, anarchist movements embraced a radical tactic known as "propaganda of the deed." This involved staging dramatic acts of violence to galvanize public support for revolutionary causes. Fast-forward to today, and it appears that President Trump's administration has adopted this concept with disturbing results.
The use of spectacle and performance is nothing new in American politics. The Works Progress Administration's New Deal-era performances, plays, concerts, and traveling shows are a notable example. However, when we talk about "propaganda of the deed," we're referring to a more sinister form of showmanship designed to shock and intimidate.
A recent incident involving Luigi Mangione's alleged shooting attempt on United Healthcare CEO Bryan Thompson exemplifies this phenomenon. The stunt was meant to draw attention to a perceived injustice, but ultimately served only to highlight the administration's willingness to engage in high-octane performances that can be leveraged for their own gain.
However, it is when the state itself becomes the perpetrator of spectacle and violence that things take a darker turn. Case in point: the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where police brutally suppressed protests with live television coverage serving as both a warning and an example to others who dared challenge the status quo.
The Minneapolis incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents killing Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti is another stark illustration of this phenomenon. Footage of the killings was widely disseminated, serving not only as a public service announcement but also as a tool for intimidation against those who would question the administration's policies.
The Trump administration has mastered the art of co-opting tools once used by activists to promote accountability and instead using them to quell dissent. The proliferation of citizen videography, which was initially a powerful means of holding authorities accountable, is now being repurposed as state media, effectively turning it into propaganda for the regime.
The result is an atmosphere of fear, where those who dare challenge the administration's narrative risk facing violent retribution or, worse still, having their actions dismissed as mere "fake news." In this sense, "propaganda of the deed" has become a tool for silencing dissent, rather than spurring revolution.
In the early 20th century, anarchist movements embraced a radical tactic known as "propaganda of the deed." This involved staging dramatic acts of violence to galvanize public support for revolutionary causes. Fast-forward to today, and it appears that President Trump's administration has adopted this concept with disturbing results.
The use of spectacle and performance is nothing new in American politics. The Works Progress Administration's New Deal-era performances, plays, concerts, and traveling shows are a notable example. However, when we talk about "propaganda of the deed," we're referring to a more sinister form of showmanship designed to shock and intimidate.
A recent incident involving Luigi Mangione's alleged shooting attempt on United Healthcare CEO Bryan Thompson exemplifies this phenomenon. The stunt was meant to draw attention to a perceived injustice, but ultimately served only to highlight the administration's willingness to engage in high-octane performances that can be leveraged for their own gain.
However, it is when the state itself becomes the perpetrator of spectacle and violence that things take a darker turn. Case in point: the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where police brutally suppressed protests with live television coverage serving as both a warning and an example to others who dared challenge the status quo.
The Minneapolis incident involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents killing Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti is another stark illustration of this phenomenon. Footage of the killings was widely disseminated, serving not only as a public service announcement but also as a tool for intimidation against those who would question the administration's policies.
The Trump administration has mastered the art of co-opting tools once used by activists to promote accountability and instead using them to quell dissent. The proliferation of citizen videography, which was initially a powerful means of holding authorities accountable, is now being repurposed as state media, effectively turning it into propaganda for the regime.
The result is an atmosphere of fear, where those who dare challenge the administration's narrative risk facing violent retribution or, worse still, having their actions dismissed as mere "fake news." In this sense, "propaganda of the deed" has become a tool for silencing dissent, rather than spurring revolution.
I gotta say, Trump's latest move is straight up crazy! He thinks he can just stage these dramatic acts of violence and get away with it? Newsflash: that's not activism, that's just plain old showmanship 
. And now the state's getting in on the act too? That's when things start to get seriously messed up 
. We gotta stay vigilant and hold those in power accountable for their actions. Can't let them use propaganda against us 
. I mean, what's next? Are they gonna make us watch a staged performance of some fake protests just to "show the public" how tough they are on dissent? No thanks 
.
I'm totally freaked out by what's been going on with the Trump Admin 
They're literally using violent spectacles to control people's minds 
It's like something out of a dystopian movie. And yeah, it's crazy that they're co-opting citizen videography to promote their own agenda 
Instead of holding them accountable, they're using it to silence dissenting voices 
We need to be super vigilant and not let this slide! 
. It feels like the goverment is playin a twisted game of cat & mouse, where every action gets dramatized for their own gain. The fact that U.S. immigration agents killed those 2 people just so they couldnt protest anymore is just wrong 
. But seriously though, this is getting out of hand. If they can't even be honest about their actions, then they're just gonna resort to theatrics and violence. It's like, if you want people to trust you, don't try to intimidate them with police brutality and 'spectacle' performances 
. This is getting ridiculous, dude... 
. And can we talk about how easily the administration co-opts these tactics once used by activists? It's like they think they own the narrative 
. I just hope more people start paying attention to what's going on and holding these folks accountable 
. that stunt with luis guillermo ramos and bryan thompson was just plain weird 
.