White House meme of Trump as Superman fuels political tensions

THE SYMBOL OF HOPE.

TRUTH. JUSTICE. THE AMERICAN WAY.

SUPERMAN TRUMP. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/fwFWeYonAq

This came amid a backlash against Gunn’s comments about Superman in a recent interview. Gunn referred to the superhero as an immigrant, noting that Superman’s journey parallels America’s immigrant experience. This comparison sparked controversy among conservative figures, including Ben Shapiro and Jesse Watters, who criticized the filmmaker’s stance, calling it an example of Hollywood’s “woke” agenda.

California Governor Gavin Newsom also weighed in on the debate, taking to X to respond to the meme, writing: “Superman was an undocumented immigrant.” The governor, who has frequently clashed with Trump over immigration policies, linked this comment to the ongoing discussions about the National Guard’s involvement in immigration enforcement and ICE raids. Newsom’s office posted a video showing children fleeing from tear gas amid ICE raids, further criticizing Trump’s stance on immigration and his handling of deportations.

In response to Newsom’s post, Rodney Scott, commissioner at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, defended Trump’s policies, highlighting that 10 juveniles were found at a marijuana facility, all identified as illegal immigrants. Newsom quickly retorted, emphasizing California’s efforts to combat child exploitation and human trafficking. Despite the tensions, Newsom continued to draw attention to Trump’s controversial immigration policies.

California prosecutes child exploiters and traffickers.

Trump tear-gasses children, rips them from their parents, and deports farmworkers.

Priorities. https://t.co/4BAslgkYfD

While political back-and-forth dominated the headlines, the buzz surrounding Superman’s release seems to have done little to impact box office performance. Early previews for the film, directed by James Gunn, generated $22.5 million, marking a strong opening. Gunn, undeterred by conservative criticism, stood by his portrayal of Superman, calling the character’s immigrant status a symbol of kindness and inclusivity. He also reinforced his position, stating that anyone opposed to immigration was “not American.”

As the conversation over Superman’s immigrant background continues to spark debate, former Superman actor Dean Cain voiced concerns about the potential impact of Gunn’s comments on the film’s success, expressing disappointment over the political undertones. Nevertheless, the film’s debut indicates that audiences are still eager for the superhero's return.

"Superman" is currently playing in theaters nationwide.