The Rise and Reign of Trump Memes: How the Internet Turned a President into a Viral Sensation

Trump Memes | Regardless of whether you love him or hate him, there is no doubt that Donald Trump is one of the most (Trump Memes)meme-able people we’ve seen in some time. From fiery speeches to impulsive tweets, Donald Trump is nothing if not meme material. From his facial expressions (and their exaggerated counterparts), to the “covfefe” which was part of a tweet, to his probably the most meme-able scowl in America- Donald Trump has been subject to internet humor and amazed viewers for several years. But how does such a polarizing political figure become so meme-able. Let’s break it down.

Why Trump was the Perfect Meme Candidate

Trump was overtly, unapologetically over-the-top and made subjects for memes like the best “one-liners”. Most politicians, will carefully forecast themselves and what they want presenting to the world. With Trump there was (and is), nothing that was filtered. His animated hand gestures, spontaneous press conference projects something else, and hair style displays / styles made him fodder for interesting Trump Memes.

Some of the best Trump Memes include:

  • “Winning” (Misspelled Tweet Meme) – When Trump tweeted out the words “Despite the constant negative press covfefe” the internet went utterly bonkers. Was it a typo? Was it a secret code? Was it something else? Who knows, but we now know “covfefe” became the meme – that entire sentence is truly priceless.
  • “Trump Mad at Rally” – That single image of Trump scowling and pointing at the crowd was relentlessly photoshopped into everything from movie stills to video game characters.
  • “Two Trumps” (Split Image Meme) – A side-by-side image of Trump looking presidential in one photo and looking insane in another photo. Trump Memes functioned excellent in reflecting Trump’s unpredictable behavior.

Trump Memes List

A cartoon of Donald Trump riding a camel with the text "CAMEL-OT".

A cartoon of Donald Trump standing next to a Shiba Inu dog in a suit.

A cartoon of Donald Trump's head and torso on a snake's body.

A cartoon of a female version of Trump with the text "I'm Gonna Build a Great Wall... Around My Closet!".

A cartoon of a female version of Trump with the text "MAKE MEMES GREAT AGAIN!".

A cartoon of a Black female version of Trump with the text "You're Fired...with a smile!".

A cartoon of a Black female version of Trump winking and giving a thumbs up.

A cartoon of Donald Trump swimming in a small inflatable pool.

A cartoon of Donald Trump's head wearing a swimming cap and goggles.

A cartoon of a baby version of Trump crying with a diaper.

A cartoon of a baby version of Trump with a pouty expression.

A cartoon of Donald Trump dancing with exaggerated movements.

A cartoon of Donald Trump dancing with his arm in the air.

Trump Memes

How Trump Memes Affect Public Perceptions

For many, Trump Memes made us laugh and smile, but memes literally change how we develop our perceptions of public figures. In the case of Trump, memes also humanized and exaggerated his character to some extent. Supporters utilized memes to see him as a bold, in your face, and no-nonsense leader, while opponents utilized memes to present him as a cartoonish villain.

While some memes were clear and harmless fun; like, carrying the “Trump Baby” blimp that publicly flew at protest demonstrations. Other memes seriously impacted rhetoric, such as during debates when his popular catchphrase “You’re Fired” from The Apprentice came to embody memes during political debates. Trump unmistakably learned to enjoy and embrace the meme world, by tweeting fan content and using some of the same viral phrases in his speeches.

The Dark Side Of Trump Memes

Not all Trump memes were harmless fun. Some were misinformation using deepfake videos or altered images to provide (false) information; others were used to spread conspiracy theories or to mock opponents in a bad-faith way. The line between satire and propaganda became blurry, setting an important precedent that memes can be useful in politics, and sometimes harmful.

Are Trump Memes Fading Away?

Since Trump left office, he hasn’t retreated from the internet and memes just yet, but the meme landscape is changing. There have been some new faces on the block (Biden’s “Dark Brandon” meme, etc.), and some newer memes are getting some attention, though Trump’s place in meme history is now secured. Whether or not he runs again in 2024, you can be sure the internet will keep recycling his greatest hits.

Final Thoughts: The Meme President

While he may have been the 45th president of the U.S., in internet culture, Trump will always be the “Meme President.” It was clear he loved to dominate the conversation—sometimes serious, and sometimes absurd. Plus it is an important lesson in how much digital culture can shape today’s political outcomes. It doesn’t matter if you thought some of those memes were funny, cringe-worthy, or even troubling: one thing is certain, all those memes will not be going away any time soon.

So, what is your go-to Trump meme? The crying WWE face? Tiny hands? Or something even weirder? Let’s be real, regardless of your politics, some of those memes were too funny not to laugh at.

Also See:- The Joy of Happy Thanksgiving Memes: A Celebration of Laughter and Gratitude

Scroll to Top