Federal Social Media Posts Draw Criticism Before Midterms

WASHINGTON. Federal social media accounts operated by the Trump administration posted Halloween-themed images in the days before the midterm elections. Critics described the posts as inflammatory. One image posted Saturday by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on X showed a Black man in front of what appeared to be stacks of U.S. currency under the words SNAP FRAUDSTER. The image carried text reading, "Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence," set against a background resembling Spirit Halloween costume packaging. The White House posted a separate image Thursday showing a pumpkin with a sombrero shape carved across it and the words "Spooky szn is here." Rollins was nominated by President Trump to serve as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in November 2024.

The Rollins post appears to derive from a September 2025 Instagram post published by an account under the name Shawty Dred. Federal prosecutors identified Mercedes Reshard New, also known as Shawty Dred, as a social media personality. The Justice Department arrested him earlier this month on federal charges tied to the fraudulent acquisition of more than $4 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in Georgia. Federal prosecutors said in an Oct. 21 news release that New controlled more than 350 fraudulent SNAP accounts under stolen identities between January 2020 and July 2026. He allegedly sought to register his company, Shawty Dred LLC, as an authorized SNAP retailer and used EBT debit cards to withdraw about $4 million from the accounts. New was indicted by a federal grand jury Oct. 7 on dozens of counts of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft, along with one count each of SNAP fraud and illegal transactions with access devices. He was arrested Oct. 13 and remains in federal custody. Fulton County jail records show prior arrests on suspicion of identity theft, insurance fraud, financial transaction card fraud, forgery and simple assault. A federal defender listed in court records as representing New, Joseph Austin, did not return a phone message.

This is not the first time official government accounts have drawn such criticism. Just over a year ago during the government shutdown, the White House replayed a deepfake video posted by Trump that showed House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in a fake mustache and sombrero. The video accompanied accusations that Democrats acted on behalf of illegal immigrants rather than U.S. citizens. Jeffries called the meme bigoted. The video played on repeat in the White House briefing room. Vice President JD Vance said that the "sombrero memes will stop" once Democrats agreed to end the shutdown.

The posts arrive as the administration has increased its anti-immigrant rhetoric and fraud accusations. Federal agents searched the Washington, D.C., home of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar earlier this month. Federal authorities are reviewing potential fraud in her family's immigration paperwork. Omar was born in Somalia and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. Federal authorities have also taken steps linked to fraud allegations in mostly Democratic-led states, including California and Minnesota. The governors of those states accused the federal government of targeting their states for political reasons.

Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta Marlo Graham addressed the charges against New in the Oct. 21 release. "Instead of this money feeding families in need, New, the social media personality known as 'Shawty Dred,' allegedly used the cash to bankroll a life of luxury," Graham said. Federal prosecutors said New's Instagram account, which has more than two million followers, displayed posts showing him on private jets, posing with Rolls-Royce vehicles in front of his "super mansion," and handling stacks of cash. The NAACP did not respond to an email seeking comment. The White House and Rollins did not respond to requests for comment.