The U.S. has never been immune to propaganda. U.S. propaganda has historically been used to drive American citizens to unite over a common thought or belief. Propaganda can be used as a way to bring citizens together, but it’s also a manipulative way to get people to ignore the corruption happening within our governmental systems.
During World War II, posters of Rosie the Riveter became a symbol to forge the idea that women were capable of joining the workforce and that women could be more than just homemakers. Rosie the Riveter was not based on any particular woman, but a compilation of the women who were already working in factories to help the war effort. The posters of Rosie the Riveter helped increase the percentage of female U.S. workers from 27% in 1940 to 37% by 1945.
During the transition back into peace after the war, women were demobilized out of “men’s work” to make room for the men returning from war. Rosie the Riveter was propaganda used to manipulate women into thinking they could be valuable to the workforce, just to be removed as soon as men returned. Although women believed joining the workforce could be a sign of positive change for women’s rights, the government evidently had no intention of keeping these changes, as soon as men could return to work.
Propaganda can be defined as “the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause or a person.” Although propaganda can be used to bring a country together or unite a politically divided nation, it’s often used to villainize a group of people or a community. In modern times, the Trump administration has used propaganda to attack immigrants, the Democratic Party and anyone who opposes its actions and beliefs.
Since day one of Trump’s second presidency, the U.S. has seen arguably the largest amount of immigration policy changes in the nation’s history. The Trump administration has used propaganda to justify the inhumane conditions immigrants are being held in detention centers. The administration has even started using memes as a way to desensitize U.S. citizens to the cruel and unconstitutional manner in which immigrants are being deported.
The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, regularly posts updates on the department's website claiming the Trump administration is making our country safe by deporting pedophiles, rapists and drug dealers. In reality, roughly 40% of detainees are convicted criminals, a decrease from 53% under the Biden administration.
Not only is the DHS using propaganda to villainize immigrants, but it's also using propaganda to recruit people to join the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
On the official DHS website, the agency uses a photo of Uncle Sam, a famous character historically used to encourage enlisting in the military, for ICE recruitment, saying, “America has been invaded by criminals and predators. We need YOU to get them out.”
The Trump administration has also been claiming that Democrats have shut down the government because the Democrats are demanding healthcare for “illegal aliens.” On a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “The Democrats want Illegal Aliens, many of them VIOLENT CRIMINALS, to receive FREE Healthcare.” In the same post, he wrote the Democratic party wants to leave dead people on Medicaid and Social Security,trump as well as claiming they want to cut billions of dollars to rural hospitals. He went on to say the party was pushing “Transgender’ for EVERYBODY,” open borders and higher crime because “they like it.”
The Trump administration put warnings on many government sites pointing the finger at the Democrats for the government shutdown. On the official website for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there is a heading that says “Due to the Radical Left Democrat shutdown, this government website will not be updated during the funding lapse.”
To be educated on current politics is extremely overwhelming. It’s discouraging to read the news when it feels like every day there is more bad news. However, propaganda feeds on the guarantee that it won’t be tested. When propaganda gets stronger, it is easier to manipulate the media and therefore manipulate the people, further pushing political polarization.
The Trump Administration has been blatantly targeting its political opponents through propaganda and lies, and the best way to fight it is to stay educated.
Alaina Sayre is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Alaina about her column? Email them at as015023@ohio.edu.
