All posts tagged: euphemism

“When it finally happens”: The weaponization of euphemism in MAGA’s shadow

“When it finally happens”: The weaponization of euphemism in MAGA’s shadow

Every so often, the internet becomes abuzz with vague statements that everyone instantly understands. “Is he dead yet?” or “When it happens” flood the feeds, with nearly everyone exactly aware of who “he” is and what “it” is. Webcomics have made “he’s still alive” a punchline, with similar humor embedded in long-winded McSweeney’s essays. This makes for good business, too. A Wisconsin brewery went viral recently for promising free beer “all day long, the day he dies” without mentioning anyone by name. It is no coincidence these phrases and memes pop up every time President Donald Trump makes an unexpected trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, among other surprise medical exams that have been occurring since his first term. Yes, the death of Trump, who will turn 80 this June, has been a popular topic for some time, not solely due to the torrent of alleged health concerns surrounding the president, whose swollen ankles, discolored skin, spontaneous naps and incoherent rambling has sparked online rumors that he is seriously ailing. Whether you agree …