The Brief: #TrumpHasCovid TikTok memes began appearing on the app after President Trump revealed he and FLOTUS both tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 1.
DEEP DIVE
As of Oct. 1, President Trump revealed he and FLOTUS both tested positive for COVID-19. Twitter users immediately created memes surrounding his previous statements downplaying the virus.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1311892190680014849
TikTokers were no different. Within hours, the hashtag #TrumpHasCovid emerged on the platform boasting over 6.1 million views. The associated hashtags #TrumpCovid, #TrumpHasCorona, and #TrumpCorona have garnered another 1.2 million views, 2.1 million views, and 1.3 million views, respectively.
Many TikToks contain screenshots of Gen-Zers leaving what they refer to as “death spells” under Trump’s announcement. The symbols are actually Amharic, one of the official languages of Ethiopia. @Aidan.scss’s video paired those tweets with audio associated from the Brujas Summoning TikTok trend.
https://www.tiktok.com/@aidan.scss/video/6878892847978810629?_d=secCgsIARCbDRgBIAIoARI%2BCjzgORWCSIhAKx79W9%2FGsRBYrishMDOdDqUgmkAxo6wQvB67sfr9jT4EiZThJ%2Fdgn%2BiOtUOazLilxRuv4QIaAA%3D%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAlFo6FjwieBAdJ43NYbOK0M65gpCct49zMqPTFfnJvFwa4ghcph8glvR5oFcmyWqx&share_item_id=6878892847978810629&share_link_id=8A6A5329-5654-4DB6-8A7A-5D2A5227F639×tamp=1601660669&tt_from=more&u_code=d53j536lc1eh44&user_id=6665700624632643589&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=more&source=h5_m&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6790176033137542661&is_from_webapp=1
Some videos called on witches to “finish the job” Annabelle failed to do.
https://www.tiktok.com/@suhxs/video/6878919240020167942?_d=secCgsIARCbDRgBIAIoARI%2BCjw27yaWPxKJg63DMx6DpNTm0HnnOzwgfVivc4qER3%2BpOWQP1T4rTYgZRU%2FnuOFbebNOjoHS2ulYpd6pndoaAA%3D%3D&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAADct_ib0QHkDWnpIK7jUNX_6nQECQMKbrJaCI4UfEsZoahcaLmJByTUpFXY5rahx3&share_item_id=6878919240020167942&share_link_id=031CA383-9CDD-498A-AA3F-7153848A8529×tamp=1601663305&tt_from=copy&u_code=d49h00i6359ab3&user_id=6649410803609911302&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=copy&source=h5_m&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=6790176033137542661&is_from_webapp=1
There are also numerous TikToks personifying the virus as Miss Rona. These videos see TikTokers acting out her intentions.
@auserrelly #ColorCustomizer #CTCVoiceBox #AltRocktober #trumphascovid #trumphascorona #fyp #xyzbca
Some videos involve bleach, a reference to Trump’s previous statements about curing COVID-19 by injecting a “disinfectant” into the body.
@jeffharryplays 1st meeting with Trump’s doctor since Trump got COVID. #trumpcovid #trump #covid #itiswhatitis #trumphascovid #fyp #foryou #doctor
Other TikTokers created memes around how they think Trump’s friend and foes reacted to the news.
Vice President Mike Pence:
@byedaniel
Trump’s son, Barron:
@nickisfamous1
Presidential Candidate Joe Biden:
@mr.lawes How the Biden campaign walked into work today #trumphascovid #biden #trumpcovid19 #presidentialelection #hopehicks #trump