White House Valentine’s post sparks outrage over immigration message
Critics slam Trump administration’s holiday stunt, calling it unprofessional and divisive
US President Donald Trump
ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
Daily TribuneCritics slam Trump administration’s holiday stunt, calling it unprofessional and divisive
US President Donald Trump
ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
The White House stirred controversy on Valentine’s Day with a harsh, immigration-themed poem that sent a blunt message to undocumented migrants. The official White House account posted a pink, heart-adorned image featuring President Donald Trump and border czar Tom Homan, alongside the message:
"Roses are red, violets are blue, come here illegally, and we'll deport you."
The post was a clear reflection of Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, as he has vowed to launch the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history.
The Valentine’s Day stunt also came amid rising tensions between the administration and Pope Francis, after Homan told the Pope to "stick to the Catholic Church" when the pontiff criticized the White House’s hardline approach to migrants.
Adding to the irony, Trump did not publicly wish his wife, Melania, a Happy Valentine’s Day, a stark contrast to Joe Biden, who frequently posted public declarations of love to Jill Biden on February 14 during his presidency.
The Valentine’s message was met with fierce criticism online, with people calling it unprofessional, classless, and undignified. According to Indy100, social media users slammed the post, with comments such as:
"What happened to like…professionalism???"
"Take this down! Unprofessional. Unconstitutional. Unacceptable."
"Who’s running these accounts? 15-year-olds?"
"This is such a classless and disturbing thing to be posted by the government."
Actress Alyssa Milano also weighed in, stating:
"I hope the world knows that this country is filled with beautiful, hardworking people who know that diversity is our strength. We are embarrassed by what this administration has done to make our country and the world less safe, less healthy, less lawful, less democratic, and less empathetic."
Despite the backlash, the White House has not removed or addressed the post, reinforcing its uncompromising stance on immigration.