DOE Video Misstep: Clip Linking Trump to Hitler Removed After Backlash

The U.S. Department of Education’s official X account posted a short video that combined a scene from the 2017 film *Darkest Hour* with a montage of President Donald Trump clips. In the movie, the “tiger” refers to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. Within hours of posting, users identified the historical reference and flagged the video as equating Trump with Hitler. The department subsequently removed the post from all of its social-media platforms.

NewsweekForbesTrump’s Education Department deletes post that compares his administration to Nazi Germany indy100

The Education Department’s X account is overseen by former professional-wrestling promoter Linda McMahon. The incident follows a series of recent controversies involving the Trump administration’s use of AI-generated imagery and meme-style posts. Earlier in the year, Trump posted AI-created images depicting himself alongside historical figures such as Jesus Christ and, in April, an image portraying him as a biblical figure. These posts have drawn criticism for their historical inaccuracy and for using government-funded channels to disseminate partisan content.

Forbes

The spokesperson did not name the employee or specify how long the post remained online.

Forbes

Matt Rein, a Democratic National Committee official, highlighted the historical error, noting, “The ‘tiger’ being referenced here is Hitler btw.” Several prominent Republicans also expressed disapproval, prompting the administration to delete the content.

Forbes

• “The ‘tiger’ being referenced here is Hitler btw.” — Hitler. Matt Rein, a Democratic National Committee official

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• “I think part of the reason he’s posting it is because it ties in with this deeper sentiment that he has that he is on par with, or even potentially better than, George Washington,” — Angelo Carusone, president and CEO of Media Matters, a non-profit media watchdog organization

The Guardian

• “He’s trying to basically be a founder,” — Angelo Carusone, president and CEO of Media Matters, a non-profit media watchdog organization

The Guardian

• “And AI gives him the ability to project his imagination out into the world.” — The Guardian

The Guardian

• “Every day in Washington DC the city changes and gets more Trump-branded,” — Angelo Carusone, president and CEO of Media Matters, a non-profit media watchdog organization

The Guardian

The episode underscores the challenges federal agencies face when adopting fast-moving social-media formats. Misinterpretations of historical material can quickly become political flashpoints, especially when they involve comparisons to extremist regimes. The incident also adds to broader concerns about the Trump administration’s reliance on AI-generated imagery to shape public perception, raising questions about the appropriateness of using taxpayer-funded platforms for such messaging.

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No further official actions have been announced regarding the Education Department’s social-media policy. The department has indicated it will review internal procedures to prevent similar missteps.

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