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.
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
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.
@aidan.scss this too funny
Some videos called on witches to “finish the job” Annabelle failed to do.
@suhxs witchtok it’s your time to shine 🤩🤩 #trump #biden #covid #trumphascovid #2020 #foryou #fyp #indian #desi
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