Internet memes and politics

Apr 24, 2026, 16:17

Introduction

Internet memes are pictures or videos with words. People share them online. Now, people also use memes in politics. A scientist named Wolfgang Ullrich says this is bad for democracy. He says memes stop people from talking about ideas. Memes make people feel strong emotions instead.

Main Body

In the United States, memes have been important in politics since 2016. Ullrich says memes reduce real debate. Political actors use funny or mean images to get support. They want to make people angry or happy, not to think. Former President Donald Trump is a good example. He uses extreme posts on social media. His supporters make many AI images and memes. In April, Trump posted an AI image of himself like Jesus. He did this after a fight with the Pope. He deleted the image later because other conservatives did not like it. Another example is from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In June 2025, they posted a meme on X. It showed a prison for immigrants in Florida. The picture had alligators with ICE hats. The caption said 'Coming soon!'. Ullrich says this meme distracts from real problems about immigration. Ullrich warns that memes help bad leaders. People can say 'It is just a joke'. This makes it hard to know what is serious. Memes look small and harmless, but they can change how people think. We need to understand how memes work to stop being tricked.

Conclusion

Memes in politics change how we talk. They make us feel instead of think. Ullrich says this is bad for democracy. We need to learn how memes and social media work. This can help us resist manipulation.

Vocabulary Learning

emotion (n.)
a strong feeling like happiness or anger情感；情緒
Example:Memes make people feel strong emotions.
image (n.)
a picture or photograph圖像；圖片
Example:Trump posted an AI image of himself like Jesus.
meme (n.)
a funny picture or video shared online迷因；網絡梗
Example:Internet memes are pictures or videos with words.
politics (n.)
activities related to government and power政治
Example:Now, people also use memes in politics.
share (v.)
to give part of something to others分享
Example:People share them online.

Sentence Learning

Now, people also use memes in politics.
Time Marker: The word 'Now' shows the time is present. It tells us this is happening currently.單詞'Now'表示時間是現在。它告訴我們這件事正在發生。
In April, Trump posted an AI image of himself like Jesus.
Time Marker: The phrase 'In April' gives a specific month. It tells us when Trump posted the image.短語'In April'給出一個具體月份。它告訴我們特朗普何時發布了圖片。
He deleted the image later because other conservatives did not like it.
Reason: The word 'because' gives a reason. It explains why he deleted the image.單詞'because'給出一個原因。它解釋了他為什麼刪除了圖片。
Memes look small and harmless, but they can change how people think.
Contrast: The word 'but' shows a contrast. It connects two different ideas: small and harmless vs. changing how people think.單詞'but'顯示對比。它連接兩個不同的想法：小而無害 vs. 改變人們的想法。
He uses extreme posts on social media.
Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'on social media' tells us where he uses posts. It gives location context.短語'on social media'告訴我們他在哪裡使用帖子。它提供地點背景。