White House Post Sparks Outrage Over Alleged White Supremacist Ties, Experts Say
A recent post by the official White House account on X has sparked widespread condemnation from experts and lawmakers alike, with many arguing that it contains explicitly white supremacist language. The post, which featured a cartoon image of two teams of huskies and included the question "Which way, Greenland man?", was accompanied by a single query about the potential annexation of Greenland by the US.
According to Heidi Beirich, a leading expert on American neo-Nazis, the post represents a clear nod towards racist and far-right subculture. She pointed out that the phrase "Western man" is code for white man in neo-Nazi and white supremacist literature, citing a 1978 book titled "Which Way Western Man" as an example of such ideology.
The book, written by William Gayley Simpson, a prominent figure in the American far right, has been linked to several acts of terrorism, including the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Beirich expressed shock at the White House's deployment of this imagery, stating that it appeals to racists and white supremacists who believe only white people should hold positions of power.
The controversy comes as no surprise, given the Trump administration's history of using divisive rhetoric and its increasingly aggressive social media strategy. Recent DHS recruitment posters have been likened to Third Reich propaganda, while Elon Musk has faced backlash for his anti-immigrant comments.
Lawmakers have raised concerns about potential ties between the DHS and far-right extremists, including convicted January 6 rioters and members of the Proud Boys, a terrorist group proscribed by multiple countries. While some neo-Nazis appear to be skeptical about Trump's ambitions to invade Greenland, others are more enthusiastic, with one prominent figure stating that the US will "take it anyway" regardless of local opposition.
As tensions around far-right extremism continue to escalate, experts warn that language like this in official government posts can have serious consequences.
A recent post by the official White House account on X has sparked widespread condemnation from experts and lawmakers alike, with many arguing that it contains explicitly white supremacist language. The post, which featured a cartoon image of two teams of huskies and included the question "Which way, Greenland man?", was accompanied by a single query about the potential annexation of Greenland by the US.
According to Heidi Beirich, a leading expert on American neo-Nazis, the post represents a clear nod towards racist and far-right subculture. She pointed out that the phrase "Western man" is code for white man in neo-Nazi and white supremacist literature, citing a 1978 book titled "Which Way Western Man" as an example of such ideology.
The book, written by William Gayley Simpson, a prominent figure in the American far right, has been linked to several acts of terrorism, including the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Beirich expressed shock at the White House's deployment of this imagery, stating that it appeals to racists and white supremacists who believe only white people should hold positions of power.
The controversy comes as no surprise, given the Trump administration's history of using divisive rhetoric and its increasingly aggressive social media strategy. Recent DHS recruitment posters have been likened to Third Reich propaganda, while Elon Musk has faced backlash for his anti-immigrant comments.
Lawmakers have raised concerns about potential ties between the DHS and far-right extremists, including convicted January 6 rioters and members of the Proud Boys, a terrorist group proscribed by multiple countries. While some neo-Nazis appear to be skeptical about Trump's ambitions to invade Greenland, others are more enthusiastic, with one prominent figure stating that the US will "take it anyway" regardless of local opposition.
As tensions around far-right extremism continue to escalate, experts warn that language like this in official government posts can have serious consequences.