The official White House X account posted an AI-generated image of a jack-o’-lantern with a sombrero carved into it on Thursday, captioned simply “Spooky szn is here.”
The post quickly drew accusations of racism from Democrat officials, progressive commentators, and media outlets.
Spooky szn is here. https://t.co/8xc9KhU3VE
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 29, 2026
The post is part of a running joke the administration has used, involving sombreros, to mock Democrat positions on border policy.
Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego quote-tweeted the White House post with the comment, “Weird can’t imagine why Latinos are voting heavily against the GOP.”
Weird can’t imagine why Latinos are voting heavily against the GOP.
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) October 30, 2026
Other online critics described the image as a “low-effort racist stereotype” and, even more dramatically, a “low point for our country.”
@WhiteHouse Wow, another low-effort racist stereotype. Kewl.
— The Tomten (@thetomten1) October 29, 2026
Blatant racism now on this account, not even trying to hide it. Truly a low point for our country – but not for much longer. Go fuck yourself.
— Dave – #MeidasMighty 🏳️🌈🇺🇸🇺🇦☮️ 🌊🐶 (@davecannalte) October 29, 2026
Many complained the post was meant to imply that Mexicans are scary, given the holiday.
“Comedian” Noel Casler wrote that the post reflected an “uncultured” president who “doesn’t know Octavio Paz, Diego Rivera or a Frida Kahlo,” arguing that “art eludes him.”
Trump was our first wildly uncultured POTUS, w/o graceless unsophistication of his clan you don’t get a sombrero carved into a White House pumpkin. He’s a man who doesn’t know Octavio Paz, Diego Rivera or a Frida Kahlo. Art eludes him and music is a corny confection in his world.
— NoelCaslerComedy (@caslernoel) October 30, 2026
Outlets including HuffPost and BuzzFeed, which apparently still exist, labeled the post “insanely racist” and a “wretched stain.”
The White House has not responded to requests for comment from the liberal website Snopes, nor has it deleted the post.
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